4.
The Discourse on "If This Were Not"
117.
He was dwelling at Sāvatthī, etc.
"If, monks, there were no gratification in the solid element, beings would not become attached to the solid element.
But because, monks, there is gratification in the solid element, therefore beings become attached to the solid element.
If, monks, there were no danger in the solid element, beings would not become disenchanted with the solid element.
But because, monks, there is danger in the solid element, therefore beings become disenchanted with the solid element.
If, monks, there were no escape from the solid element, beings would not escape from the solid element.
But because, monks, there is escape from the solid element, therefore beings escape from the solid element."
"If, monks, there were no gratification in the liquid element, etc. If, monks, in the heat element, etc. If, monks, there were no gratification in the air element, beings would not become attached to the air element. But because, monks, there is gratification in the air element, therefore beings become attached to the air element. If, monks, there were no danger in the air element, beings would not become disenchanted with the air element. But because, monks, there is danger in the air element, therefore beings become disenchanted with the air element. If, monks, there were no escape from the air element, beings would not escape from the air element. But because, monks, there is escape from the air element, therefore beings escape from the air element.
"As long as, monks, beings did not directly know as it really is the gratification of these four elements as gratification, the danger as danger, and the escape as escape, for so long, monks, beings from the world with its gods, with its Māras, with its Brahmās, from the generation with its ascetics and brahmins, with its gods and humans, did not dwell escaped, unbound, free, with a mind rid of barriers.
"But when, monks, beings directly knew as it really is the gratification of these four elements as gratification, the danger as danger, and the escape as escape, then, monks, beings from the world with its gods, with its Māras, with its Brahmās, from the generation with its ascetics and brahmins, with its gods and humans, dwell escaped, unbound, free, with a mind rid of barriers." The fourth.