[312] 41. Thus have I heard. On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling at Rājagaha, on Mount Gijjhakūṭa. Then the Venerable Sāriputta, having dressed in the morning and taken his bowl and robe, was descending from Mount Gijjhakūṭa together with a number of bhikkhus, when in a certain place he saw a great mass of wood. Having seen it, he addressed the bhikkhus: "Do you see, friends, that great mass of wood?" "Yes, friend."
"If he should wish, friends, a bhikkhu possessed of spiritual power (iddhi), who has attained mastery of mind (cetovasippatto), could resolve upon that mass of wood as nothing but earth. For what reason? There exists, friends, in that mass of wood the earth element (paṭhavī-dhātu), in dependence upon which a bhikkhu possessed of spiritual power, who has attained mastery of mind, could resolve upon that mass of wood as nothing but earth. If he should wish, friends, a bhikkhu possessed of spiritual power, who has attained mastery of mind, could resolve upon that mass of wood as nothing but water … could resolve upon it as nothing but fire; could resolve upon it as nothing but air; could resolve upon it as nothing but beautiful; could resolve upon it as nothing but foul. For what reason? There exists, friends, in that mass of wood the element of foulness (asubha-dhātu), in dependence upon which a bhikkhu possessed of spiritual power, who has attained mastery of mind, could resolve upon that mass of wood as nothing but foul."
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.