Human Development

Third absorption in the immaterial sphere

Description:
[Hinayana Buddhism] At the perception "Nothing is there" the mind reaches the sphere of nothingness. The practitioner remains in equanimity, happiness and mindfulness, detached from joy.
[Tibetan Gelugpa Buddhism] The meditator in this state considers that there is nothing formed or formless to be apprehended.
Context:
[Hinayana Buddhism] This is the next to last of the jhanas.
[Tibetan Gelugpa Buddhism] This is the third of the four formless absorptions (arupayasamapatti).<