[479] **All the stations of consciousness (viññāṇaṭṭhiti):** the Blessed One knows the four stations of consciousness by way of volitional formation (abhisaṅkhāra); he knows the seven stations of consciousness by way of rebirth-linking (paṭisandhi).
How does the Blessed One know the four stations of consciousness by way of volitional formation? For this was said by the Blessed One: "Bhikkhus, consciousness, while persisting, persists engaged with form (rūpūpāya): with form as its object, with form as its support, resorting to delight, it comes to growth, increase, and abundance. Or engaged with feeling (vedanā), bhikkhus … or engaged with perception, bhikkhus … or engaged with volitional formations, bhikkhus, consciousness, while persisting, persists: with volitional formations as its object, with volitional formations as its support, resorting to delight, it comes to growth, increase, and abundance." Thus the Blessed One knows the four stations of consciousness by way of volitional formation.
How does the Blessed One know the seven stations of consciousness by way of rebirth-linking? For this was said by the Blessed One: "Bhikkhus, there are beings different in body and different in perception, such as human beings, some devas, and some beings in states of loss (vinipātika): this is the first station of consciousness. There are, bhikkhus, beings different in body but the same in perception, such as the devas of Brahmā's company, generated by the first [jhāna]: this is the second station of consciousness. There are, bhikkhus, beings the same in body but different in perception, such as the Ābhassara [devas]: this is the third station of consciousness. There are, bhikkhus, beings the same in body and the same in perception, such as the Subhakiṇha devas: this is the fourth station of consciousness. There are, bhikkhus, beings who, with the complete surmounting of perceptions of form, with the passing away of perceptions of impingement, with non-attention to perceptions of diversity, [aware that] 'space is infinite,' have arrived at the Sphere of the Infinity of Space (ākāsānañcāyatana): this is the fifth station of consciousness. [There are beings who,] having completely surmounted the Sphere of the Infinity of Space, [aware that] 'consciousness is infinite,' have arrived at the Sphere of the Infinity of Consciousness (viññāṇañcāyatana): this is the sixth station of consciousness. [There are beings who,] having completely surmounted the Sphere of the Infinity of Consciousness, [aware that] 'there is nothing at all,' have arrived at the Sphere of Nothingness (ākiñcaññāyatana): this is the seventh station of consciousness." Thus the Blessed One knows the seven stations of consciousness by way of rebirth-linking. Hence: "all the stations of consciousness."
**"Posāla," (said) the Blessed One:** the Blessed One addresses that brahmin by name. **The Blessed One (Bhagavā):** this is a term of reverence … a designation based on realization (sacchikā paññatti), namely "Bhagavā." Hence: "Posāla," said the Blessed One.
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.