'attainment of extinction' (S. XIV,
11), also called saññā-vedayita-nirodha, 'extinction of feeling and
perception', is the temporary suspension of all consciousness and mental
activity, following immediately upon the semi-conscious state called 'sphere of
neither-perception-nor-non-perception' (s. jhāna, 8). The absolutely
necessary pre-conditions to its attainment are said to be perfect mastery of all
the 8 absorptions (jhāna), as well as the previous attainment of
Anāgāmī or Arahantship (s. ariya-puggala).
According to Vis.M. XXIII, the entering into this state takes
place in the following way: by means of mental tranquillity (samatha) and
insight (vipassanā) one has to pass through all the 8 absorptions one
after the other up to the sphere of neither-perception-nor-non-perception and
then one has to bring this state to an end. If, namely, according to the Vis.M.,
the disciple (Anāgāmī or Arahat) passes through the absorption merely by means
of tranquillity, i.e. concentration, he will only attain the sphere of
neither-perception-nor-non-perception, and then come to a standstill; if, on the
other hand, he proceeds only with insight, he will reach the fruition (phala)
of Anāgāmī or Arahantship. He, however, who by means of both abilities has
risen from absorption to absorption and, having made the necessary preparations,
brings the sphere of neither-perception-nor-non-perception to an end, such a one
reaches the state of extinction. Whilst the disciple is passing through the 8
absorptions, he each time emerges from the absorption attained, and regards with
his insight all the mental phenomena constituting that special absorption, as
impermanent, miserable and impersonal. Then he again enters the next higher
absorption, and thus, after each absorption practising insight, he at last
reaches the state of neither-perception-nor-non-perception, and thereafter the
full extinction. This state, according to the Com., may last for 7 days or even
longer. Immediately at the rising from this state, however, there arises in the
Anāgāmī the fruition of Anāgāmiship (anāgāmi-phala), in the Arahat
the fruition of Arahantship (arahatta-phala).
With regard to the difference existing between the monk
abiding in this state of extinction on the one hand, and a dead person on the
other hand, M 43 says: "In him who is dead, and whose life has come to an
end, the bodily (in-and-out breathing), verbal (thought-conception and discursive
thinking), and mental functions (s. sankhāra, 2) have become suspended
and come to a standstill, life is exhausted, the vital heat extinguished, the
abilities are destroyed. Also in the monk who has reached 'extinction of
perception and feeling' (saññā-vedayita-nirodha), the bodily, verbal
and mental functions have been suspended and come to a standstill, but life is
not exhausted, the vital heat not extinguished, and the abilities are not
destroyed."
For details, see Vis.M. XXIII; for texts s. Path 206.

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