Dear Dimitri,
I am glad you gave us so much Pali. I could read it alongside my English PTS
edition. Thank you very much. I took out the Co which I only have in Thai.
Can you get at the Pali? It explains as follows:

<The word ruupii: ruupa which is the condition for the arising of
ruupajhaana, namely the ruupa in the body such as hair, etc. which is
internal. It is called ruupii: because the bhikkhu has ruupa. The words
ruupaani passatiiti: the bhikkhu sees the ruupa, he sees the ruupa of the
nilakasina (kasina of blue), etc. outside, by the eye of wisdom (~naa.na
cakkhu). By these words he explains the attainment of jhaana by the kasinas
which have their bases (vatthus) inside and outside. >
I could go on and on, but alas, no time. The Co helps us not to see this
text in isolation, but in the whole context of vimokkha, which is of many
kinds. It is most interesting and fascinating, can recommend reading it.

D: I am intrigued reading that nimitta can be a basis of concentration.
Apparently nimitta is something quite tangible, not just a designation
(pa~n~natti).
N: The Vis. explains that there is first the parikamma nimitta: such as
earth kasina: one has to look at it again and again. Then later on, no need
to look, you have acquired a mental image of it. This becomes more
perfected, more subtle and by means of this jhaana can be attained, provided
there is mindfulness and pa~n~naa.
Best wishes,
Nina.

op 28-09-2002 18:05 schreef Äìèòðèé Àëåêñååâè÷ Èâàõíåíêî (Dimitry A.
Ivakhnenko) op koleso@...:

> I have found a passage in Patisambhidamagga describing two relevant
> 'vimokkhaa' from DN 33. In them nimittas are frequently mentioned
> alongside with sa~n~naa.
>
> The phrase
> "ajjhatta.m aruupa.m, bahiddhaa ruupamidan"
> in the third paragraph seems to partly confirm my hypothesis.
> I say 'partly' because it is evident from the text that nimittas are
> attended to in both cases, form and formless.
>
> I would greatly appreciate any suggestions on the possible meaning of
> 'nimitta' in this context.
>
> Dimitry
>
> Patisambhidamagga 2.38
>
> 212. Katha.m ruupii ruupaani passatiiti- vimokkho? Idhekacco
> ajjhatta.m paccatta.m niilanimitta.m manasikaroti, niilasa~n~na.m
> pa.tilabhati. ...