[368] Dwelling at Sāvatthī… There the Blessed One… "Bhikkhus, it is by way of elements (dhātu) that beings come together and associate: those of inferior disposition come together and associate with those of inferior disposition. In the past, too, bhikkhus, it was by way of elements that beings came together and associated: those of inferior disposition came together and associated with those of inferior disposition. In the future, too, bhikkhus, it will be by way of elements that beings will come together and associate: those of inferior disposition will come together and associate with those of inferior disposition. Now, too, bhikkhus, in the present time, it is by way of elements that beings come together and associate: those of inferior disposition come together and associate with those of inferior disposition."
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.