[251] 4. This was said by the Blessed One, said by the Arahant — so I have heard:
"Bhikkhus, the formless states (arūpa) are more peaceful (santatara) than forms (rūpa); cessation (nirodha) is more peaceful than the formless states."
The Blessed One spoke this meaning. In that connection, this is said:
Those beings who go to form,
and those who abide in the formless,
not understanding cessation,
come back again to renewed existence (punabbhava).
But those who, having fully understood forms,
are not settled in the formless,
who are liberated in cessation —
those people leave death behind.
Having touched with the body the deathless element (amatā dhātu),
himself free of acquisitions (upadhi),
having realized the relinquishment of acquisitions,
free of taints (āsava),
the Fully Self-Enlightened One (sammāsambuddha)
teaches the sorrowless, stainless state (pada).
This meaning too was spoken by the Blessed One; so I have heard.
The fourth.
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.