(Neither Perception nor Non-Perception)

"Further, Ananda, the monk -- not attending to the perception of the sphere of the infinitude of consciousness, not attending to the perception of the sphere of nothingness -- attends to the singleness based on the sphere of neither perception nor non-perception. His mind takes pleasure, finds satisfaction, settles, & indulges in the sphere of neither perception nor non-perception.

"He discerns that 'Whatever disturbances that would exist based on the perception of the sphere of the infinitude of consciousness are not present. Whatever disturbances that would exist based on the perception of the sphere of nothingness are not present. There is only this modicum of disturbance: the singleness based on the sphere of neither perception nor non-perception.' He discerns that 'This mode of perception is empty of the perception of the sphere of the infinitude of consciousness. This mode of perception is empty of the perception of the sphere of nothingness. There is only this non-emptiness: the singleness based on the sphere of neither perception nor non-perception.' Thus he regards it as empty of whatever is not there. Whatever remains, he discerns as present: 'There is this.' And so this, his entry into emptiness, accords with actuality, is undistorted in meaning, & pure.