[347] "Furthermore, Udāyi, I have declared to my disciples the way of practice (paṭipadā), practicing in accordance with which my disciples understand thus: 'This body of mine, possessed of material form (rūpī), is composed of the four great elements (cātumahābhūtika), produced by mother and father, built up from boiled rice and porridge, subject to impermanence, to being worn and rubbed away, to breaking apart and dispersal; and this consciousness (viññāṇa) of mine is supported by it and bound up with it.'
Suppose, Udāyi, there were a beryl gem, beautiful, radiant, eight-faceted, well worked, clear, limpid, endowed with every excellent quality, and through it were strung a thread—blue, yellow, red, white, or pale-yellow thread. A man with good eyesight, taking it in his hand, would examine it thus: 'This beryl gem is beautiful, radiant, eight-faceted, well worked, clear, limpid, endowed with every excellent quality; and through it is strung this thread—blue, yellow, red, white, or pale-yellow thread.' In the same way, Udāyi, I have declared to my disciples the way of practice, practicing in accordance with which my disciples understand thus: 'This body of mine, possessed of material form, is composed of the four great elements, produced by mother and father, built up from boiled rice and porridge, subject to impermanence, to being worn and rubbed away, to breaking apart and dispersal; and this consciousness of mine is supported by it and bound up with it.'
And therein many of my disciples dwell having attained the consummation and perfection of direct knowledge (abhiññā).
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.