[190] On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling at Sāvatthī, in the Eastern Park (Pubbārāma), in the mansion of Migāra's mother. Now on that occasion, it being the Uposatha day, the Blessed One was seated surrounded by the Saṅgha of bhikkhus. Then the Blessed One, having surveyed the utterly silent Saṅgha of bhikkhus, addressed the bhikkhus:
"Bhikkhus, this assembly is free from prattle; bhikkhus, this assembly is without prattle; it is pure, established in the essence. Such, bhikkhus, is this Saṅgha of bhikkhus; such, bhikkhus, is this assembly — an assembly of such a kind as is rare even to see in the world. Such, bhikkhus, is this Saṅgha of bhikkhus; such, bhikkhus, is this assembly — an assembly of such a kind as is worthy of gifts, worthy of hospitality, worthy of offerings, worthy of reverential salutation, an unsurpassed field of merit for the world. Such, bhikkhus, is this Saṅgha of bhikkhus; such, bhikkhus, is this assembly — an assembly of such a kind that even a little given to it becomes much, and much given becomes still more. Such, bhikkhus, is this Saṅgha of bhikkhus; such, bhikkhus, is this assembly — an assembly of such a kind that it is worth traveling even a reckoning of yojanas to see it, even with a bag of provisions on one's shoulder. Such, bhikkhus, is this Saṅgha of bhikkhus.
"There are, bhikkhus, bhikkhus in this Saṅgha of bhikkhus who dwell having attained to the devas; there are, bhikkhus, bhikkhus in this Saṅgha of bhikkhus who dwell having attained to Brahmā; there are, bhikkhus, bhikkhus in this Saṅgha of bhikkhus who dwell having attained to the imperturbable (āneñja); there are, bhikkhus, bhikkhus in this Saṅgha of bhikkhus who dwell having attained to the noble state.
"And how, bhikkhus, has a bhikkhu attained to the devas? Here, bhikkhus, quite secluded from sensual pleasures … a bhikkhu enters and dwells in the first jhāna; with the subsiding of thought and examination (vitakka-vicāra) … he enters and dwells in the second jhāna; with the fading away of rapture (pīti) … he enters and dwells in the third jhāna; with the abandoning of pleasure and the abandoning of pain … he enters and dwells in the fourth jhāna. It is in this way, bhikkhus, that a bhikkhu has attained to the devas.
"And how, bhikkhus, has a bhikkhu attained to Brahmā? Here, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu dwells pervading one quarter with a mind imbued with loving-kindness (mettā), likewise the second, likewise the third, likewise the fourth; thus above, below, across, everywhere, and to all as to himself, he dwells pervading the entire world with a mind imbued with loving-kindness — abundant, exalted, immeasurable, without enmity, without ill will. With a mind imbued with compassion (karuṇā) … with a mind imbued with altruistic joy (muditā) … with a mind imbued with equanimity (upekkhā) he dwells pervading one quarter, likewise the second, likewise the third, likewise the fourth; thus above, below, across, everywhere, and to all as to himself, he dwells pervading the entire world with a mind imbued with equanimity — abundant, exalted, immeasurable, without enmity, without ill will. It is in this way, bhikkhus, that a bhikkhu has attained to Brahmā.
"And how, bhikkhus, has a bhikkhu attained to the imperturbable? Here, bhikkhus, with the complete transcending of perceptions of form, with the passing away of perceptions of sensory impingement, with non-attention to perceptions of diversity, [aware that] 'space is infinite,' a bhikkhu enters and dwells in the sphere of infinity of space (ākāsānañcāyatana). With the complete transcending of the sphere of infinity of space, [aware that] 'consciousness is infinite,' he enters and dwells in the sphere of infinity of consciousness (viññāṇañcāyatana). With the complete transcending of the sphere of infinity of consciousness, [aware that] 'there is nothing,' he enters and dwells in the sphere of nothingness (ākiñcaññāyatana). With the complete transcending of the sphere of nothingness, he enters and dwells in the sphere of neither perception nor non-perception (nevasaññānāsaññāyatana). It is in this way, bhikkhus, that a bhikkhu has attained to the imperturbable.
"And how, bhikkhus, has a bhikkhu attained to the noble state? Here, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu understands as it really is: 'This is suffering (dukkha)' … he understands as it really is: 'This is the way of practice leading to the cessation of suffering.' It is in this way, bhikkhus, that a bhikkhu has attained to the noble state."
The Fourth Chapter: the Warrior (Yodhājīvavagga).
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The Great Chapter, the Fifth (Mahāvagga)
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.