[286] "Poṭṭhapāda, in whatever way a bhikkhu here is possessed of his own perception (sakasaññī), he proceeds from that stage to the next, from that to the next, and progressively touches the summit of perception (saññagga). As he stands at the summit of perception, this occurs to him: 'To intend is worse for me; not to intend is better for me. If I were to go on intending and volitionally constructing, these perceptions (saññā) of mine would cease, and other, coarser perceptions would arise. Suppose, then, I were neither to intend nor to volitionally construct.' He neither intends nor volitionally constructs. As he neither intends nor volitionally constructs, those very perceptions cease, and other, coarser perceptions do not arise. He touches cessation (nirodha). Thus, Poṭṭhapāda, there comes to be the attainment (samāpatti), with clear comprehension, of the progressive cessation of higher perception (anupubbābhisaññānirodha-sampajāna-samāpatti).
"What do you think, Poṭṭhapāda? Have you ever before heard of such an attainment, with clear comprehension, of the progressive cessation of higher perception?"
"No indeed, venerable sir. Venerable sir, thus do I understand the Dhamma taught by the Blessed One."
"From the time, Poṭṭhapāda, that a bhikkhu is possessed of his own perception, he proceeds from that stage to the next, from that to the next, and progressively touches the summit of perception. As he stands at the summit of perception, this occurs to him: 'To intend is worse for me; not to intend is better for me. If I were to go on intending and volitionally constructing, these perceptions of mine would cease, and other, coarser perceptions would arise. Suppose, then, I were neither to intend nor to volitionally construct.' He neither intends nor volitionally constructs. As he neither intends nor volitionally constructs, those very perceptions cease, and other, coarser perceptions do not arise. He touches cessation. Thus, Poṭṭhapāda, there comes to be the attainment, with clear comprehension, of the progressive cessation of higher perception."
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.