10.
The Discourse on the Observance
190.
On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling at Sāvatthī in the Eastern Park, in Migāramātā's mansion.
Now at that time, on the uposatha day, the Blessed One was seated surrounded by the Community of monks.
Then the Blessed One, having surveyed the Community of monks who were silent, completely silent, addressed the monks -
"This assembly is without prattle, monks; this assembly is free from prattle, monks; pure, established in its core. Such is this Community of monks, monks; such is this assembly, monks. An assembly that is rare to see even in the world, such is this Community of monks, monks; such is this assembly, monks. An assembly that is worthy of offerings, worthy of hospitality, worthy of gifts, worthy of reverential salutation, an unsurpassed field of merit for the world, such is this Community of monks, monks; such is this assembly, monks. An assembly to which a little given becomes much, and much given becomes more, such is this Community of monks, monks; such is this assembly, monks. An assembly that it is fitting to go many yojanas to see, even with provisions, such is this Community of monks, monks.
"There are, monks, monks in this Community of monks who dwell having attained the divine; there are, monks, monks in this Community of monks who dwell having attained the Brahma state; there are, monks, monks in this Community of monks who dwell having attained the imperturbable; there are, monks, monks in this Community of monks who dwell having attained the noble state.
"And how, monks, is a monk one who has attained the divine? Here, monks, a monk, quite secluded from sensual pleasures, etc. enters and dwells in the first meditative absorption; with the subsiding of applied and sustained thought, etc. the second meditative absorption, etc. the third meditative absorption... etc. he enters and dwells in the fourth meditative absorption. Thus, monks, a monk is one who has attained the divine.
"And how, monks, is a monk one who has attained the Brahma state? Here, monks, 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. Compassion... altruistic joy... 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. Thus, monks, a monk is one who has attained the Brahma state.
"And how, monks, is a monk one who has attained imperturbability? Here, monks, with the complete transcendence of perceptions of material form, with the passing away of perceptions of sensory impingement, with inattention to perceptions of diversity, aware that 'space is infinite,' a monk enters and dwells in the plane of infinite space. With the complete transcendence of the plane of infinite space, aware that 'consciousness is infinite,' he enters and dwells in the plane of infinite consciousness. With the complete transcendence of the plane of infinite consciousness, aware that 'there is nothing,' he enters and dwells in the plane of nothingness. Having completely transcended the plane of nothingness, one enters and dwells in the plane of neither-perception-nor-non-perception. Thus, monks, a monk is one who has attained imperturbability.
"And how, monks, is a monk one who has attained the noble? Here, monks, a monk understands as it really is: 'This is suffering', etc. he understands as it really is: 'This is the practice leading to the cessation of suffering.' Thus, monks, a monk is one who has attained the noble." The tenth.