iti.51 Itivuttaka

Elements

This was said by the Lord …

“Bhikkhus, there are these three elements. What three? The form element, the formless element, and the element of cessation. These are the three.”

By fully understanding the form element
Without getting stuck in the formless,
They are released into cessation
And leave Death far behind them.

Having touched with his own person
The deathless element free from clinging,
Having realized the relinquishment of clinging
His taints all gone,
The Fully Enlightened One proclaims
The sorrowless state that is void of stain.

- Translator: John D. Ireland

- Editor: Bhikkhu Sujato

---

Elements

This was said by the Buddha, the Perfected One: that is what I heard.
“Mendicants, there are these three elements.
What three?
The elements of form, formlessness, and cessation.
These are the three elements.”
The Buddha spoke this matter.
On this it is said:
“Comprehending the element of form,
not stuck in the formless,
those who are released in cessation,
they are conquerors of death.
Having directly experienced the deathless element,
free of attachments;
having realised relinquishment
of attachments, the undefiled
fully awakened Buddha teaches
the sorrowless, stainless state.”
This too is a matter that was spoken by the Blessed One: that is what I heard.