Mahāvaggavimokkhakathā

Suttapiṭaka · Khuddakanikāya · Paṭisambhidāmagga · Vol. 31 · Section 479

[479] What is the carnal (sāmisa) liberation (vimokkha)? The liberation connected with form — this is the carnal liberation. What is the spiritual (nirāmisa) liberation? The liberation connected with the formless — this is the spiritual liberation. What is the still-more-spiritual (nirāmisatara) liberation? The four noble paths (ariyamagga), the four fruits of the ascetic life (sāmaññaphala), and Nibbāna — this is the still-more-spiritual liberation. What is the directed (paṇihita) liberation? The four jhānas and the four formless attainments (arūpasamāpatti) — this is the directed liberation. What is the undirected (appaṇihita) liberation? The four noble paths, the four fruits of the ascetic life, and Nibbāna — this is the undirected liberation. What is the liberation that is the tranquilization of the directed (paṇihitappaṭippassaddhi)? The obtaining or the result of the first jhāna … of the attainment of the sphere of neither perception nor non-perception — this is the liberation that is the tranquilization of the directed. What is the bound (saññutta) liberation? The four jhānas and the four formless attainments — this is the bound liberation. What is the unbound (visaññutta) liberation? The four noble paths, the four fruits of the ascetic life, and Nibbāna — this is the unbound liberation. What is the liberation of unity (ekatta)? The four noble paths, the four fruits of the ascetic life, and Nibbāna — this is the liberation of unity. What is the liberation of diversity (nānatta)? The four jhānas and the four formless attainments — this is the liberation of diversity.

English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.