Thus have I heard — At one time, the Blessed One was dwelling in Sāvatthi, in Jeta's Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika's park. At that time, the Blessed One was instructing, inciting, inspiring, and gladdening the bhikkhus with a Dhamma talk related to Nibbāna. The bhikkhus were attentive, having applied themselves entirely, mentally gathered, with ears ready, listening to the Dhamma.

Then, understanding the significance of this, the Blessed One at that time expressed this inspired utterance:

"Bhikkhus, there exists a base, where there is neither earth, nor water, nor fire, nor wind; neither the base of boundless space, nor the base of boundless consciousness, nor the base of nothingness, nor the base of neither perception nor non-perception; neither this world, nor the other world, nor both, nor sun nor moon. Here, bhikkhus, I say there is no coming, no going, no staying, no passing away, no arising. It is without support, without occurrence, and without object. This, bhikkhus, is the ending of suffering."