Mahāvaggavimokkhakathā

Suttapiṭaka · Khuddakanikāya · Paṭisambhidāmagga · Vol. 31 · Section 470

[470] What is the emptiness liberation (suññato vimokkho)? Here a bhikkhu, gone to the forest, or gone to the root of a tree, or gone to an empty dwelling, reflects thus: 'This is empty of self or of what belongs to self.' He makes no adherence therein — thus it is the emptiness liberation. This is the emptiness liberation. What is the signless liberation (animitto vimokkho)? Here a bhikkhu, gone to the forest, or gone to the root of a tree, or gone to an empty dwelling, reflects thus: 'This is empty of self or of what belongs to self.' He makes no sign (nimitta) therein — thus it is the signless liberation. This is the signless liberation. What is the undirected liberation (appaṇihito vimokkho)? Here a bhikkhu, gone to the forest, or gone to the root of a tree, or gone to an empty dwelling, reflects thus: 'This is empty of self or of what belongs to self.' He makes no aspiration (paṇidhi) therein — thus it is the undirected liberation. This is the undirected liberation. What is the liberation of emergence internally (ajjhattavuṭṭhāno vimokkho)? The four jhānas — this is the liberation of emergence internally. What is the liberation of emergence externally (bahiddhāvuṭṭhāno vimokkho)? The four formless attainments (arūpasamāpatti) — this is the liberation of emergence externally. What is the liberation of emergence from both (dubhatovuṭṭhāno vimokkho)? The four noble paths (ariyamagga) — this is the liberation of emergence from both.

English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.