Path of Freedom [Vimuttimagga]

Subjects of Meditation • 119nothingness. He considers thus: "The sphere of nothingness is coarse; thesphere of neither perception nor non-perception is fine". And again, he seesthe tribulations of the sphere of nothingness and the merits of the sphere ofneither perception nor non-perception. [422] What are the tribulations ofthe sphere of nothingness ? It has consciousness for near enemy. It is accompaniedby coarse perception. Therefore it is gross. Owing to attachment to itone does not partake of distinction. Thus he sees the tribulations of the sphereof nothingness. The merits of the sphere of neither perception nor non-perceptionlie in the overcoming of these. And again, this perception is a disease,a boil, a thorn. Non-perception — this is right, tranquil and lofty. Thus hesees the sphere of neither perception nor non-perception. And having seenthe sphere of nothingness, having entered it and having reflected upon it,that yogin practises the other concentration by causing calmness to arise outof the solitude of the sphere of nothingness. Meditating thus he passes outof the perception of the sphere of nothingness in no long time, and attains tofixed meditation, jhana, in the sphere of neither perception nor non-perception./ will show the sphere of neither perception nor non-perception."Passing entirely beyond the sphere of nothingness, that yogin enters intoand dwells in the sphere of neither perception nor non-perception". "Entirely"means without remainder. "Passing beyond the sphere of nothingness"means the surpassing of the sphere of nothingness and the going beyond it,rightly. This is called "passing entirely beyond the sphere of nothingness"."Neither perception nor non-perception": He, practises the other concentrationby causing calmness to arise out of the solitude of the sphere of nothingness.This is called the sphere of neither perception nor non-perception. "Sphere ofneither perception nor non-perception": The mind and the mental propertieswhich enter the sphere of neither perception nor non-perception are called thesphere of neither perception nor non-perception. What is the meaning of"sphere of neither perception nor non-perception"? Through the removalof coarse perception, he is endowed with non-perception. Through therebeing a remainder of fine perception, he enters the sphere of neither perceptionnor non-perception. Thus should "sphere" and "neither perception nornon-perception" be understood. "Enters into and abides": He attains to theconcentration of the sphere of neither perception nor non-perception, passesbeyond the sphere of nothingness, fulfils three factors, three kinds of goodnessand ten characteristics, is associated with twenty-two merits and dwells in theenjoyment of the reward of concentration practice. By reason of these goodqualities, he will be reborn in the sphere of neither perception nor non-perception.This was fully taught before. "By reason of these good qualities hewill be reborn in the sphere of neither perception nor non-perception" meansthat he who practises the concentration of neither perception nor non-