Dhamma Topics and their Analysis

Meditation Topics

9. Cattāro Āruppasamāpattī
9. The Four Formless Attainments

from Uposathasuttaṁ, An 4.190

1. Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu sabbaso rūpasaññānaṁ samatikkamā,
1. Here, monastics, a monastic having completely transcended perceptions of form, These four are sometimes referred to as the 5th-8th jhānas, or meditations, and so continue from the last section.

paṭighasaññānaṁ atthaṅgamā,
with the disappearance of perceptions of (sensory) impact,

nānattasaññānaṁ amanasikārā: Ananto ākāso ti
not attending to perceptions of variety, (understanding): This is endless space,

ākāsānañcāyatanaṁ upasampajja viharati,
abides in the sphere of endless space,

2. sabbaso ākāsānañcāyatanaṁ samatikkamma: Anantaṁ viññāṇan-ti
2. having completely transcended the sphere of endless space, (understanding): This is endless consciousness,

viññāṇañcāyatanaṁ upasampajja viharati,
he abides in the sphere of endless consciousness,

3. sabbaso viññāṇañcāyatanaṁ samatikkamma: Natthi kiñcī ti
3. having completely transcended the sphere of endless consciousness, (understanding): This is nothing,

ākiñcaññāyatanaṁ upasampajja viharati,
he abides in the sphere of nothingness,

4. sabbaso ākiñcaññāyatanaṁ samatikkamma,
4. having completely transcended the sphere of nothingness,

nevasaññānāsaññāyatanaṁ upasampajja viharati.
he abides in the sphere of neither-perception-nor-non-perception.

last updated: December 2016