[278] When this was said, the wanderer Poṭṭhapāda said to the Blessed One: "Venerable sir, let that talk stand aside — the talk for which we are now seated together here. It will not be difficult for the Blessed One to hear of that talk even afterwards. Venerable sir, in days past, on former days, when ascetics and brahmins of various sects were seated and gathered together in the debating hall (kotūhalasālā), a discussion arose concerning the cessation of perception (abhisaññānirodha): 'How, good sirs, does the cessation of perception come about?'
Therein some said this: 'Without cause, without condition, a person's perceptions (saññā) arise and also cease. At the time when perception arises, at that time one is percipient; at the time when it ceases, at that time one is non-percipient.' Thus do some declare the cessation of perception.
Another said this: 'It will not be so, good sirs. For perception, good sirs, is a person's self (attā), and that self both comes and departs. At the time when it comes, at that time one is percipient; at the time when it departs, at that time one is non-percipient.' Thus do some declare the cessation of perception.
Another said this: 'It will not be so, good sirs. For there are, good sirs, ascetics and brahmins of great psychic power, of great might. They both draw in and draw out this person's perception. At the time when they draw it in, at that time one is percipient; at the time when they draw it out, at that time one is non-percipient.' Thus do some declare the cessation of perception.
Another said this: 'It will not be so, good sirs. For there are, good sirs, deities of great psychic power, of great might. They both draw in and draw out this person's perception. At the time when they draw it in, at that time one is percipient; at the time when they draw it out, at that time one is non-percipient.' Thus do some declare the cessation of perception.
Then, venerable sir, a recollection (sati) arose in me referring to the Blessed One alone: 'Ah, surely it is the Blessed One! Ah, surely it is the Sublime One, who is thoroughly skilled in these matters!' The Blessed One, venerable sir, is skilled; the Blessed One thoroughly knows the cessation of perception. How, venerable sir, does the cessation of perception come about?"
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.