[521] "'The base of nothingness (ākiñcaññāyatana), the base of nothingness,' it is said. What now is the base of nothingness? Then, friends, it occurred to me: 'Here a bhikkhu, by completely surmounting the base of the infinity of consciousness (viññāṇañcāyatana), [aware that] "there is nothing," enters and dwells in the base of nothingness. This is called the base of nothingness.'
"Then, friends, by completely surmounting the base of the infinity of consciousness, [aware that] 'there is nothing,' I entered and dwelt in the base of nothingness. While I was dwelling in that dwelling, perceptions and attentions accompanied by the base of the infinity of consciousness assailed me.
"Then, friends, the Blessed One approached me by means of psychic power (iddhi) and said this: 'Moggallāna, Moggallāna! Do not be negligent, brahmin, regarding the base of nothingness. Steady your mind (citta) in the base of nothingness; unify your mind in the base of nothingness; concentrate your mind in the base of nothingness.'
"Then, friends, on a later occasion, by completely surmounting the base of the infinity of consciousness, [aware that] 'there is nothing,' I entered and dwelt in the base of nothingness.
"Indeed, friends, if one speaking rightly should say of anyone … 'has attained to greatness of direct knowledge (mahābhiññatā).'"
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.