Path of Freedom [Vimuttimagga]

Subjects of Meditation i 13A. There are differences of "coarse" and "fine", according to result,in the third meditation, jhana. Therefore, the excellence of the fruitiongroundis taught through the partaking of distinction. In the fourth meditation,jhana, the yogin reaches the limit of the partaking of distinction. Outsidethis there is no other partaking of distinction. Therefore, there is nopartaking of distinction of the fruition-ground.THE SPHERE OF THE INFINITY OF SPACEI consider the tribulations of the fourth meditation, jhana.Now, the yogin who has acquired boundless happiness in the fourthmeditation, jhana, wishes to enjoy the space-concentration and to transcend therealm of form. He considers thus: "Concentration of form is coarse; spaceconcentrationis fine". That yogin sees the tribulations of form and themerits of space-concentration. What are the tribulantions of form? Thereare many (tribulations) such as the taking up of sticks and weapons, beating,quarrelling, slander, lying, maiming and the like. There are many sufferingssuch as pain of the eye and other bodily ills, cold and heat, hunger and thirst.These are the severe trials of the sensuous form.What are the tribulations of the fourth meditation, jhanal The dependingon form objects has satisfaction for near enemy. It is called coarse. Onewho is attached to form and delights in it cannot partake of distinction. Butdepending on space, one liberates oneself peacefully. In this concentrationone fulfils the gross. Thus the yogin sees the tribulations of the fourth meditation,jhana, in form. The merits of space-concentration consist of the overcomingof these./ have considered the troubles of the fourth meditation, jhana. And now Ishow how to enter the concentration of the sphere of the infinity of space.That yogin having seen form and the great tribulations thereof and themerits of space-concentration, rises from that (form) concentration, abandonsthe earth kasina, the earth sign^andj)ractises space-concentration.He should dwell on space regarding it as an infinite object. If he meditatesthus, he quickly completes the destruction of the earth sign and his mindrises out of the earth sign and goes beyond the earth sign to space. Throughthe acquisition of facility in the perception of the sphere of the infinity of spacehe attains to fixed meditation, jhana.That yogin "by passing entiiely beyond perception of form, by the disappearanceof the perception of impact, by being freed from attention to