[269] "Bhikkhus, suppose a man were to come along bringing red lac, or turmeric, or indigo, or madder, and he were to say: 'I shall draw figures in this space; I shall make figures appear.' What do you think, bhikkhus? Could that man draw figures in this space, could he make figures appear?"
"No indeed, venerable sir. For what reason? Because, venerable sir, this space is formless and invisible; it is not easy there to draw a figure, to make a figure appear; and that man would only reap his share of weariness and vexation."
"Even so, bhikkhus, there are these five courses of speech by which others, when speaking, might address you: timely or untimely … 'and, taking that person as the basis, we shall abide pervading the all-encompassing world with a mind (citta) like space—abundant, exalted, immeasurable, without enmity, without ill will (byāpāda).' Thus indeed, bhikkhus, should you train yourselves."
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.