SN14.11 — Sattadhātusutta
He was staying at Sāvatthī.
Disciples, there are seven elements. What seven? The element of radiance, the element of beauty, the element of the realm of infinite space, the element of the realm of infinite consciousness, the element of the realm of nothingness, the element of the realm of neither perception nor non-perception, the element of the cessation of perception and feeling: these are the seven elements.
When this was said, a certain disciple asked the Blessed One: Sir, these elements of radiance, beauty, the realm of infinite space, the realm of infinite consciousness, the realm of nothingness, the realm of neither perception nor non-perception, and the cessation of perception and feeling: on what are these elements dependent?
Disciple, the element of radiance is dependent on darkness. The element of beauty is dependent on the unattractive. The element of the realm of infinite space is dependent on form. The element of the realm of infinite consciousness is dependent on the realm of infinite space. The element of the realm of nothingness is dependent on the realm of infinite consciousness. The element of the realm of neither perception nor non-perception is dependent on the realm of nothingness. The element of the cessation of perception and feeling is dependent on cessation.
Sir, these elements of radiance, beauty, the realm of infinite space, the realm of infinite consciousness, the realm of nothingness, the realm of neither perception nor non-perception, and the cessation of perception and feeling: how are these elements to be attained?
Disciple, the elements of radiance, beauty, the realm of infinite space, the realm of infinite consciousness, and the realm of nothingness are to be attained through the stilling of perception. The element of the realm of neither perception nor non-perception is to be attained through the stilling of the residue of formations. The element of the cessation of perception and feeling is to be attained through the attainment of cessation.