[227] Then a number of bhikkhus approached the Venerable Sāriputta; having approached, they exchanged greetings with the Venerable Sāriputta, and when their courteous and memorable talk was concluded, they sat down to one side. Seated to one side, those bhikkhus said to the Venerable Sāriputta: "Friend Sāriputta, could a bhikkhu obtain such an attainment of concentration (samādhi) that he would not be percipient of earth in relation to earth, nor percipient of water in relation to water, nor percipient of fire in relation to fire, nor percipient of air in relation to air, nor percipient of the Sphere of the Infinity of Space (ākāsānañcāyatana) in relation to the Sphere of the Infinity of Space, nor percipient of the Sphere of the Infinity of Consciousness (viññāṇañcāyatana) in relation to the Sphere of the Infinity of Consciousness, nor percipient of the Sphere of Nothingness (ākiñcaññāyatana) in relation to the Sphere of Nothingness, nor percipient of the Sphere of Neither Perception Nor Non-Perception (nevasaññānāsaññāyatana) in relation to the Sphere of Neither Perception Nor Non-Perception, nor percipient of this world in relation to this world, nor percipient of the world beyond in relation to the world beyond; and as to whatever is seen, heard, sensed, cognized, reached, sought after, and ranged over by the mind — of that too he would not be percipient; and yet he would still be percipient?"
"He could, friend. A bhikkhu could obtain such an attainment of concentration that he would not be percipient of earth in relation to earth … and as to whatever is seen, heard, sensed, cognized, reached, sought after, and ranged over by the mind — of that too he would not be percipient; and yet he would still be percipient."
"But how, friend Sāriputta, could a bhikkhu obtain such an attainment of concentration that he would not be percipient of earth in relation to earth … and as to whatever is seen, heard, sensed, cognized, reached, sought after, and ranged over by the mind — of that too he would not be percipient; and yet he would still be percipient?"
"Here, friend, a bhikkhu is percipient thus: 'This is peaceful, this is sublime, namely, the stilling of all formations, the relinquishment of all acquisitions (upadhi), the destruction of craving (taṇhā), dispassion, cessation (nirodha), Nibbāna.' It is in this way, friend, that a bhikkhu could obtain such an attainment of concentration that he would not be percipient of earth in relation to earth, nor percipient of water in relation to water, nor percipient of fire in relation to fire, nor percipient of air in relation to air, nor percipient of the Sphere of the Infinity of Space in relation to the Sphere of the Infinity of Space, nor percipient of the Sphere of the Infinity of Consciousness in relation to the Sphere of the Infinity of Consciousness, nor percipient of the Sphere of Nothingness in relation to the Sphere of Nothingness, nor percipient of the Sphere of Neither Perception Nor Non-Perception in relation to the Sphere of Neither Perception Nor Non-Perception, nor percipient of this world in relation to this world, nor percipient of the world beyond in relation to the world beyond; and as to whatever is seen, heard, sensed, cognized, reached, sought after, and ranged over by the mind — of that too he would not be percipient; and yet he would still be percipient."
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.