8.
The Discourse on the Question about the Plane of Neither-Perception-Nor-Non-Perception
339.
"'The plane of neither-perception-nor-non-perception, the plane of neither-perception-nor-non-perception,' it is said.
What then is the plane of neither-perception-nor-non-perception?
This occurred to me, friend -
'Here a monk, with the complete transcendence of the plane of nothingness, enters and dwells in the plane of neither-perception-nor-non-perception.
This is called the plane of neither-perception-nor-non-perception.'
So I, friends, with the complete transcendence of the plane of nothingness, enter and dwell in the plane of neither-perception-nor-non-perception.
While I was dwelling with this abiding, friends, perceptions and attention accompanied by the plane of nothingness occurred to me.
"Then, friends, the Blessed One, having approached me by supernormal power, said this: 'Moggallāna, Moggallāna! Do not be negligent, brahmin, regarding the plane of neither-perception-nor-non-perception; steady your mind in the plane of neither-perception-nor-non-perception, unify your mind in the plane of neither-perception-nor-non-perception, concentrate your mind in the plane of neither-perception-nor-non-perception.' So I, friends, at a later time, with the complete transcendence of the plane of nothingness, entered and dwelt in the plane of neither-perception-nor-non-perception. If anyone, friends, speaking rightly would say: etc. 'A disciple helped by the Teacher has attained great direct knowledge.'" The eighth.