Path of Freedom [Vimuttimagga]

Subjects of Meditation i 15carts passing and repassing. 1 Therefore, it is taught as the destruction of the(sense) spheres; and thus, surpassing of all form perception is taught as thedestruction of the form states and the perception of impact. "By being freedfrom attention to perceptions of diversity" means the destruction of the sensestates. Again, the surpassing of all form perception is taught as the attainmentof the realm of the formless. The disappearance of the perception of impactis taught as the destruction of the outer disturbance to that concentration(of the formless) and the purification of imperturbability. "Freed fromattention to perceptions of diversity" is taught as destruction of the innerdisturbance to that concentration and the purification of the peacefulnessof liberation.Q. "The sphere of infinite space": What is space?A. It is the sphere of space, the element of space and vacuity. 2 Thatwhich is untouched by the four primaries — this is called vacuity. When aman tranquillizes the mind by means of the perception of limitless space,it is said that he thinks, "Infinite is space". Infinite space means the enteringinto limitless space. The mind and the mental properties which enter spaceare called "sphere of space". What is "sphere of space"? Boundlessnessis the nature of space. This boundless nature is the "sphere of space". This istaught as the meaning of space. As dwelling in heaven is called heaven,so (dwelling in) the concentration of the sphere of space is called "sphere ofspace". "Enters into and abides in the sphere of infinite space" means thathe acquires the concentration of the sphere of infinite space, passes beyondall form objects, fulfils three factors, three kinds of goodness and ten characteristics,is associated with twenty-two merits and dwells peacefully in the enjoymentof the reward of concentration practice. By reason of these good qualities,he will be reborn in the sphere of infinite space, as it was fully taught before."By these good qualities he will be reborn in (the sphere of infinite) space"means that he who practises the concentration of the sphere of space will,1. D. II, 130—31: Bhuta-pubbam bhante A\dro Kdldmo addhdnamaggapafipanno maggdokkamma avidure ahhatarasmim-rukkha-mule divd-vihdre nisidi. Atha kho bhantepahcamattdni sakata-satdni Alar am Kdldmam nissdya nissdya atikkamimsu. Atha khobhante ahhataro puriso tassa sakata-satthassa pitthito dgacchanto yena A\dro Kdldmotertupasamkami, upasarhkamitvd Alar am Kdldmam etad avoca:"Api bhantepaficamattdni sakata-satdni atikkamantdni addasdtiV"No kho aham dvuso addasan" ti."Kim pana bhante saddam assositiT*"Na kho aham dvuso saddam assosin" ti."Kimpana bhante sutto ahositiT"Na kho aham dvuso sutto ahosin" ti."Kimpana bhante sanni ahositi'V"Evam dvuso" ti.'So tvam bhante sanni samdno jdgaro paficamattdni sakata-satdni nissdya nissdyaatikkamantdni rfeva addasa napana saddam assosi, api hi ie bhante samghdti rajenaokinnd' ti.''Evam dvuso' ti.'Atha kho bhante tassa purisassa etad ahosi: "Acchariyam vat a bho, abbhutam vatabhol Santena vata bho pabbajitd vihdrena viharanti yatra hi ndma sanni samdnojdgaro pahcamattdni sakata-satdni na pana saddam sossatiti". A\dre Kdldmeujdram pasddam pavedetvd pakkdmitV.2. Lit. Empty hole.