iti.72 Itivuttaka

Escape

This was said by the Lord…

“Bhikkhus, there are these three elements of escape. What three? The escape from sensual desires, that is, renunciation; the escape from form, that is, the formless; and the escape from whatever has come to be, from whatever is conditioned and dependently arisen, that is, cessation. These, bhikkhus, are the three elements of escape.”

Having known the escape from sensual desires
And the overcoming of forms,
One whose energy is always ardent
Reaches the stilling of all formations.

Such a bhikkhu who sees rightly
Is thereby well released.
Accomplished in knowledge, at peace,
That sage has overcome all bonds.

- Translator: John D. Ireland

- Editor: Bhikkhu Sujato

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Elements of Escape

This was said by the Buddha, the Perfected One: that is what I heard.
“Mendicants, there are these three elements of escape.
What three?
Renunciation is the escape from sensual pleasures. Formlessness is the escape from form. Cessation is the escape from whatever is created, conditioned, and dependently originated.
These are the three elements of escape.”
The Buddha spoke this matter.
On this it is said:
“Knowing the escape from sensuality,
and form’s transcendence,
one always keen touches
the stilling of all activities.
That mendicant sees rightly,
and when freed in regards to that,
that peaceful sage, with perfect insight,
has truly escaped their bonds.”
This too is a matter that was spoken by the Blessed One: that is what I heard.