[1685] S. Is lust for the formless (arūparāga) included (pariyāpanna) in the formless element (arūpadhātu)?
P. Yes.
S. Should it not be said that lust for the formless is included in the formless element?
P. It should not be said so. …
S. Is lust for the formless included in the formless element?
P. Yes.
S. Is it something that seeks attainment (samāpattesiya), something that seeks rebirth (upapattesiya), a pleasant abiding in the present life (diṭṭhadhammasukhavihāra)? Is it — with the mind (citta) that seeks attainment, with the mind that seeks rebirth, with the mind that is a pleasant abiding in the present life — accompanied (sahagata), co-nascent (sahajāta), mingled (saṃsaṭṭha), associated (sampayutta), of one arising (ekuppāda), of one cessation (ekanirodha), of one basis (ekavatthuka), of one object (ekārammaṇa)?
P. It should not be said so. …
S. Is it not, rather, not something that seeks attainment, not something that seeks rebirth, not a pleasant abiding in the present life, not with the mind that seeks attainment … of one basis, of one object?
P. Yes.
S. If it is not something that seeks attainment, not something that seeks rebirth, not a pleasant abiding in the present life; if it is not — with the mind that seeks attainment, with the mind that seeks rebirth, with the mind that is a pleasant abiding in the present life — accompanied, co-nascent, mingled, associated, of one arising, of one cessation, of one basis, of one object: then indeed, good sir, it should not be said that lust for the formless is included in the formless element.
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.