[384] "Furthermore, Vāseṭṭha, a bhikkhu dwells pervading one direction with a mind imbued with compassion (karuṇā) … with a mind imbued with altruistic joy (muditā) … with a mind imbued with equanimity (upekkhā), and likewise the second direction, likewise the third, likewise the fourth; thus above, below, across, everywhere, to all as to himself, he dwells pervading the entire world with a mind imbued with equanimity — abundant, exalted, immeasurable, without enmity, without ill will. Just as, Vāseṭṭha, a powerful conch-blower could make himself heard in the four directions with little difficulty, even so, Vāseṭṭha, when the liberation of mind (cetovimutti) by equanimity has been developed in this way, whatever action has been done within a limited measure does not remain there, does not persist there. This, Vāseṭṭha, is a path to companionship with Brahmā.
What do you think, Vāseṭṭha? Is a bhikkhu who dwells thus possessed of encumbrances (sapariggaha), or free of encumbrances?"
"Free of encumbrances, worthy Gotama."
"Is his mind hostile, or without hostility?"
"Without hostility, worthy Gotama."
"Is his mind bent on affliction, or free from affliction?"
"Free from affliction, worthy Gotama."
"Is his mind defiled, or undefiled?"
"Undefiled, worthy Gotama."
"Does he wield mastery, or does he not wield mastery?"
"He wields mastery, worthy Gotama."
"So it seems, Vāseṭṭha, that the bhikkhu is free of encumbrances, and Brahmā is free of encumbrances. Would the bhikkhu who is free of encumbrances join together and converge with Brahmā, who is free of encumbrances?"
"Yes, worthy Gotama."
"Good, Vāseṭṭha. Then it is possible that that bhikkhu, free of encumbrances, upon the breaking up of the body, after death, will attain to companionship with Brahmā, who is free of encumbrances. This is a state that is found to exist.
So it seems, Vāseṭṭha, that the bhikkhu is without hostility of mind, and Brahmā is without hostility of mind … the bhikkhu is free from affliction of mind, and Brahmā is free from affliction of mind; the bhikkhu is undefiled in mind, and Brahmā is undefiled in mind; the bhikkhu wields mastery, and Brahmā wields mastery. Would the bhikkhu who wields mastery join together and converge with Brahmā, who wields mastery?"
"Yes, worthy Gotama."
"Good, Vāseṭṭha. Then it is possible that that bhikkhu who wields mastery, upon the breaking up of the body, after death, will attain to companionship with Brahmā, who wields mastery. This is a state that is found to exist."
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.