8 emancipations

Eight emancipations:

1. Possessed of form, one sees forms. This is the first emancipation.

2. Not percipient of form internally, one sees forms externally. This is the second emancipation.

3. One is intent only on the beautiful. This is the third emancipation.

4. With the complete transcending of perceptions of [physical] form, with the disappearance of perceptions of resistance, and not heeding perceptions of diversity, [perceiving,] Infinite space, one enters and remains in the dimension of the infinitude of space. This is the fourth emancipation.

5. With the complete transcending of the dimension of the infinitude of space, [perceiving,] Infinite consciousness, one enters and remains in the dimension of the infinitude of consciousness. This is the fifth emancipation.

6. With the complete transcending of the dimension of the infinitude of consciousness, [perceiving,] There is nothing, one enters and remains in the dimension of nothingness. This is the sixth emancipation.

7. With the complete transcending of the dimension of nothingness, one enters and remains in the dimension of neither perception nor non-perception. This is the seventh emancipation.

8. With the complete transcending of the dimension of neither perception nor non-perception, one enters and remains in the cessation of perception and feeling. This is the eighth emancipation.

(from Digha Nikaya 15)

References

• The Complete Book of Buddha's Lists -- Explained. David N. Snyder, Ph.D., 2006.
• http://www.thedhamma.com/