Path of Freedom [Vimuttimagga]

118 Vimuttimaggadistinction through the considering of infinite perception. The merits of thesphere of nothingness lie in the overcoming of these. That yogin, havingseen the tribulations of the sphere of infinite consciousness and the meritsof the sphere of nothingness, rises out of the sphere of infinite consciousnesspeacefully, does not proceed along that consciousness again, does not reflecton it again and puts away that consciousness. Seeing the freedom of thesphere of nothingness, he wishes to attain to it, and considering thus he quicklyrises out of consciousness perception. Owing to the perception of the sphereof nothingness, he attains to fixed meditation, jhana. Passing entirely beyondthe sphere of infinite consciousness, that yogin, thinking, "There is nothingwhatsoever", enters into and abides in the sphere of nothingness."Entirely" means without remainder. "Passing beyond the sphere ofinfinite consciousness" means to go rightly beyond consciousness. Thisis called "passing entirely beyond the sphere of infinite consciousness"."Nothingness" means that he does not practise (consciousness concentration)again; does not discern again; goes out of that consciousness (sphere), and seesonly nothingness. Thus should nothingness be known. "Sphere (of nothingness)": The mind and the mental properties which enter the sphere of nothingness,are called "sphere of nothingness". What is the sphere of nothingness?That which is without the nature of consciousness and empty. The sphereof nothingness is taught as "holding to nothing*'. "Enters into the sphere"means "attains to the concentration of the sphere of nothingness". "Entersinto and dwells": He attains to the concentration of (the sphere of) nothingness,passes beyond the consciousness object, fulfils three factors, three kindsof goodness, ten characteristics and is associated with twenty-two merits, anddwells peacefully in the enjoyment of the reward of concentration. By reasonof these good qualities, he is reborn in the sphere of nothingness. This wasfully taught before. The merit by which a man is reborn in the sphere ofnothingness is thus: He who practises the concentration of the sphere ofnothingness will be reborn, after his death, in the sphere of nothingness. Hislife-span will be six thousand aeons. 1(The exposition of) the concentration of the sphere of nothingness hasended.THE SPHERE OF NEITHER PERCEPTION NOR NON-PERCEPTION/ consider the tribulations of the sphere of nothingness.Now, the yogin having acquired mastery in the practice of concentrationof the sphere of nothingness wishes to cause the arising of the concentrationof neither perception nor non-perception, and to transcend the sphere of1. Again an error; should read 'sixty thousand'. Cp. Vbh. 426; A. I, 268; Akincannayatanupagdnambhikkhave devanarh satthim kappasahassdni dyuppamdnam.