Comm. NT: 5. In the Suttas the first eight kasiṇas are the same as those given here, and they are the only ones mentioned in the Dhammasaṅgaṇī (§160–203) and Paṭisambhidā (Paṭis I 6). The Suttas give space and consciousness as ninth and tenth respectively (M II 14– 15; D III 268; Netti 89, etc.). But these last two appear to coincide with the first two immaterial states, that is, boundless space and boundless consciousness. The light kasiṇa given here as ninth does not appear in the Suttas. It is perhaps a development from the “perception of light” (āloka-saññā) (A II 45). The limited-space kasiṇa given here as tenth has perhaps been made “limited’ in order to differentiate it from the first immaterial state. The commentary on the consciousness kasiṇa (M-a III 261) says nothing on this aspect. As to space, Vism-mhṭ (p. 373) says:
Paricchinnākāsakasiṇakathāvaṇṇanā
The attainment of the immaterial states is not produced by means of the space kasiṇa, and with the words ‘ending with the white kasiṇa’ (XXI.2) the light kasiṇa is included in the white kasiṇa.
For description of space (ākāsa) see Dhs-a 325, Netti 29. Also Vism-mhṭ (p. 393) defines space thus: “Wherever there is no obstruction, that is called space.” Again the Majjhima Nikāya Tīkā (commenting on MN 106) remarks: “[Sense desires] are not called empty (ritta) in the sense that space, which is entirely devoid of individual essence, is called empty.”