2.
The Discourse on the Question about the Second Meditative Absorption
333.
"'The second meditative absorption, the second meditative absorption,' it is said.
What then is the second meditative absorption?
This occurred to me, friend -
'Here a monk, with the subsiding of applied and sustained thought, enters and dwells in the second meditative absorption, which has internal confidence and unification of mind, is without applied thought and without sustained thought, with rapture and happiness born of concentration.
This is called the second meditative absorption.'
So I, friends, with the subsiding of applied and sustained thought, enter and dwell in the second meditative absorption, which has internal confidence and unification of mind, is without applied thought and without sustained thought, with rapture and happiness born of concentration.
While I was dwelling with this abiding, friends, perceptions and attention accompanied by applied thought 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 second meditative absorption; steady your mind in the second meditative absorption, unify your mind in the second meditative absorption, concentrate your mind in the second meditative absorption.' So I, friends, at a later time, with the subsiding of applied and sustained thought, entered and dwelt in the second meditative absorption, which has internal confidence and unification of mind, is without applied thought and without sustained thought, with rapture and happiness born of concentration. If anyone, friends, speaking rightly would say: 'A disciple helped by the Teacher has attained great direct knowledge,' it is of me that one speaking rightly would say: 'A disciple helped by the Teacher has attained great direct knowledge.'" The second.