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Saṃyutta Nikāya · Discourse 40.5

A Question About the Dimension of Infinite Space

Ākāsānañcāyatanapañhāsutta — Moggallānavagga

Setting
Not restated; continues directly as Moggallāna's own account from SN 40.1's own setting
Speakers
Venerable Mahāmoggallāna addressing the mendicants
Form
The identical template, now applied to the first of four formless dimensions
Length
<1 minute to read
Northern parallel
A rough counterpart may exist in the Chinese Saṃyukta-āgama (T99), though this reading guide does not assert a specific matching sutra number
Difficulty
★★☆☆☆ — the sequence's own turn from form-based absorption to formless dimension

Why this discourse

This discourse extends the residue pattern beyond the four absorptions themselves: the dimension of infinite space — going entirely beyond perceptions of form, impingement, and diversity, aware only that “space is infinite” — is disturbed by leftover perceptions of form (rūpa), exactly what this dimension's own definition describes going beyond. The pattern established across the four jhānas continues unbroken into the first of the four formless dimensions.

Reading guide

The pattern crosses into the formless dimensions

Form (rūpa) is precisely what the dimension of infinite space's own definition describes going beyond — the residue pattern holding not only within the four absorptions but continuing unbroken as the sequence turns to a different category of attainment entirely.

Key terms

ākāsānañcāyatanaṁ — “the dimension of infinite space” — defined by going entirely beyond perceptions of form, impingement, and diversity
rūpasahagatā saññāmanasikārā — “perception and focus accompanied by forms” — the residue disturbing Moggallāna, matching the factor this dimension's own definition describes going beyond
ananto ākāso — “space is infinite” — the awareness this dimension is defined by
mā... pamādo — “don't neglect” — the opening of the Buddha's own fixed exhortation, unchanged in form since SN 40.1
pañcamaṁ — “fifth” — this discourse's own untranslated closing ordinal

The text

The complete discourse. Translation: Bhikkhu Sujato (CC0, SuttaCentral).

§1“They speak of this thing called the ‘dimension of infinite space’. What is the dimension of infinite space? It occurred to me: ‘It’s when a mendicant—going totally beyond perceptions of form, with the disappearance of perceptions of impingement, not focusing on perceptions of diversity—aware that “space is infinite”, enters and remains in the dimension of infinite space. This is called the dimension of infinite space.’ And so … I was entering and remaining in the dimension of infinite space. While I was in that meditation, perception and focus accompanied by forms beset me.

§2Then the Buddha came up to me with his psychic power and said, ‘Moggallāna, Moggallāna! Don’t neglect the dimension of infinite space, brahmin! Settle your mind in the dimension of infinite space; unify your mind and immerse it in the dimension of infinite space.’ And so, after some time … I entered and remained in the dimension of infinite space. So if anyone should be rightly called a disciple who attained to great direct knowledge with help from the Teacher, it’s me.”

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Self-check quiz

2 questions. Click an answer to see immediate feedback. No score is recorded — this is for your own checking.

Question 1 of 2
What residue disturbs Moggallāna in the dimension of infinite space?
Correct: A. The residue pattern continuing unbroken as the sequence turns from the absorptions to the formless dimensions.
Question 2 of 2
What category shift does this discourse mark within the nine-discourse sequence?
Correct: A. The identical residue pattern extending across a genuine category boundary.
Answered 0 of 2 · Correct 0

Further reading

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