Iti 73

Itivuttaka: The Group of Threes

translated from the Pali by

Thanissaro Bhikkhu

This was said by the Blessed One, said by the Arahant, so I have heard: "Formless phenomena are more peaceful than forms; cessation, more peaceful than formless phenomena."

Those beings headed to forms, and those standing in the formless, with no knowledge of cessation, return to further becoming. But, comprehending form, not taking a stance in formless things, those released in cessation are people who've left death behind.

Having touched with his body the deathless property free from acquisitions, having realized relinquishing of acquisitions, fermentation-free, the Rightly Self-awakened One teaches the state with no sorrow, no dust.