With Equanimity

1. At one time venerable Mahamoggallana was living in the monastery offered by Anathapindika in Jeta's grove in Savatthi.

2. “Venerable Mahamoggallana addressed the monks from there: “Friends, monks!”

Those monks responded pleasantly.

3. “Friends, this thought and thought process arose to me in my seclusion; it is said the fourth high stage of the mind. What is the fourth high stage of the mind?

4. “Friends, then it occurred to me, the monk dispelling pleasantness and unpleasantness and earlier having overcome pleasure and displeasure and purifying mindfulness with equanimity so that it is neither unpleasant nor pleasant, abides in the fourth high stage of the mind.

5. “Friends, then I dispelled pleasantness and unpleasantness and earlier having overcome pleasure and displeasure and purifying mindfulness with equanimity, so that it is neither unpleasant nor pleasant, I abode in the fourth high stage of the mind. When abiding in the fourth high stage of the mind, pleasant perceptions assailed me.

6. “Then the Blessed One approached me by psychic power and said: `Moggallana, Noble Man! Do not be negligent! Establish, concentrate and bring the mind to one point in the fourth high stage.'

7. “Friends, then I dispelled pleasantness and unpleasantness and earlier having overcome pleasure and displeasure and purifying mindfulness with equanimity, so that it is neither unpleasant nor pleasant, I abode in the fourth high stage of mind.

8. “Friends, saying it correctly, I am the disciple, who attained great wisdom, with the compassionate help of the Teacher.”