“Alone and independent, O Sakyan,” said Venerable Upasīva, “I am not able to cross the great flood. Tell me a support, All-seer, depending on which I may cross this flood.”

“Mindfully contemplating nothingness,” replied the Buddha, “depending on the perception ‘there is nothing’, <j>cross the flood. Giving up sensual pleasures, <j>refraining from chatter, watch day and night for the ending of craving.”

“One who is free of desire for sensual pleasures,” said Venerable Upasīva, “depending on nothingness, all else left behind, freed in the ultimate liberation of perception: might they remain there without traveling on?”

“One free of desire for sensual pleasures,” replied the Buddha, “depending on nothingness, all else left behind, freed in the ultimate liberation of perception: they might remain there without traveling on.”