[224] "With the nine courses of concentration (samādhicariyā)": with what nine courses of concentration? The first jhāna is a course of concentration; the second jhāna is a course of concentration; the third jhāna is a course of concentration; the fourth jhāna is a course of concentration; the attainment (samāpatti) of the sphere of infinity of space, the attainment of the sphere of infinity of consciousness, the attainment of the sphere of nothingness, and the attainment of the sphere of neither perception nor non-perception are each a course of concentration; thought-conception (vitakka), discursive thought (vicāra), rapture (pīti), pleasure (sukha), and one-pointedness of mind (cittekaggatā) for the purpose of obtaining the first jhāna … thought-conception, discursive thought, rapture, pleasure, and one-pointedness of mind for the purpose of obtaining the attainment of the sphere of neither perception nor non-perception — it is with these nine courses of concentration.
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.