7.
The Discourse on Godatta
349.
On one occasion the Venerable Godatta was dwelling at Macchikāsaṇḍa in the Ambāṭaka Grove.
Then the householder Citta approached the Venerable Godatta;
having approached, he paid respect to the Venerable Godatta and sat down to one side.
To the householder Citta seated to one side, the Venerable Godatta said this -
"This limitless liberation of mind, householder, and this liberation of mind through nothingness, and this liberation of mind through emptiness, and this signless liberation of mind - are these phenomena different in meaning and different in phrasing, or are they one in meaning and only different in phrasing?"
"There is, venerable sir, a method by which method these phenomena are different in meaning and different in phrasing.
But there is also, venerable sir, a method by which method these phenomena are one in meaning and only different in phrasing."
"And what, venerable sir, is the method by which method these phenomena are different in meaning and different in phrasing? Here, venerable sir, a monk dwells having pervaded one direction with a mind accompanied by friendliness, likewise the second, likewise the third, likewise the fourth. Thus above, below, across, everywhere, and in every respect, he dwells having pervaded the entire world with a mind accompanied by friendliness, extensive, exalted, limitless, without enmity, without ill-will. With a mind accompanied by compassion... etc. with a mind accompanied by altruistic joy... etc. He dwells having pervaded one direction with a mind accompanied by equanimity, likewise the second, likewise the third, likewise the fourth. Thus above, below, across, everywhere, and in every respect, he dwells having pervaded the entire world with a mind accompanied by equanimity, extensive, exalted, limitless, without enmity, without ill-will. This is called, venerable sir, the limitless liberation of mind.
"And what, venerable sir, is the liberation of mind through nothingness? Here, venerable sir, with the complete transcendence of the plane of infinite consciousness, aware that 'there is nothing,' a monk enters and dwells in the plane of nothingness. This is called, venerable sir, the liberation of mind through nothingness.
"And what, venerable sir, is the liberation of mind through emptiness? Here, venerable sir, a monk, having gone to the forest, or having gone to the root of a tree, or having gone to an empty house, considers thus - 'This is empty of a self or of what belongs to a self.' This is called, venerable sir, the liberation of mind through emptiness.
"And what, venerable sir, is the signless liberation of mind? Here, venerable sir, through inattention to all signs, a monk enters and dwells in the signless concentration of mind. This is called, venerable sir, the signless liberation of mind. This, venerable sir, is the method by which method these phenomena are different in meaning and different in phrasing.
"And what, venerable sir, is the method by which method these phenomena are one in meaning and only different in phrasing? Lust, venerable sir, is a maker of measure, hate is a maker of measure, delusion is a maker of measure. For a monk who has eliminated the mental corruptions, these have been abandoned, their root cut off, made like a palm stump, brought to obliteration, subject to non-arising in the future. As far as, venerable sir, there are limitless liberations of mind, the unshakeable liberation of mind is declared the foremost among them. Now that unshakeable liberation of mind is empty of lust, empty of hate, empty of delusion. Lust, venerable sir, is a possession, hate is a possession, delusion is a possession. For a monk who has eliminated the mental corruptions, these have been abandoned, their root cut off, made like a palm stump, brought to obliteration, subject to non-arising in the future. As far as, venerable sir, there are liberations of mind through nothingness, the unshakeable liberation of mind is declared the foremost among them. Now that unshakeable liberation of mind is empty of lust, empty of hate, empty of delusion. Lust, venerable sir, is a maker of signs, hate is a maker of signs, delusion is a maker of signs. For a monk who has eliminated the mental corruptions, these have been abandoned, their root cut off, made like a palm stump, brought to obliteration, subject to non-arising in the future. As far as, venerable sir, there are signless liberations of mind, the unshakeable liberation of mind is declared the foremost among them. Now that unshakeable liberation of mind is empty of lust, empty of hate, empty of delusion. This, venerable sir, is the method by which method these phenomena are one in meaning and only different in phrasing." "It is a gain for you, householder, it is well gained for you, householder! That your eye of wisdom penetrates the deep word of the Buddha." The seventh.