The Buddha describes the three elements of escape - renunciation, formless element and cessation.

ITI 72  Nissaraṇiya sutta - Escape

Vuttañhetaṁ bhagavatā vuttamarahatāti me sutaṁ:

This was said by the Blessed One, said by the Arahant, as I have heard:

“Tisso imā, bhikkhave, nissaraṇiyā dhātuyo. Katamā tisso? Kāmānametaṁ nissaraṇaṁ yadidaṁ nekkhammaṁ, rūpānametaṁ nissaraṇaṁ yadidaṁ āruppaṁ, yaṁ kho pana kiñci bhūtaṁ saṅkhataṁ paṭiccasamuppannaṁ nirodho tassa nissaraṇaṁimā kho, bhikkhave, tisso nissaraṇiyā dhātuyo”ti.

“Bhikkhus, there are these three elements of |escape::way out, remedy [nissaraṇa]|. What three? 1) |Renunciation::going out state, rejection of sensual pleasure [nekkhamma]| is the escape from sensual pleasures, 2) the |formless [element]::immaterial state [āruppa]| is the escape from |forms::visible objects such as beautiful sights, faces, expressions, art, ornaments, possessions, status symbols, admired appearances, enticing scenery, or objects of desire and attachment [rūpe]|, and for 3) whatever is |conditioned::constructed, created, fabricated [saṅkhata]|, |dependently arisen::casually produced, arisen together from a cause [paṭiccasamuppanna]|—its cessation is the escape from it. These, bhikkhus, are the three elements of escape.”

Etamatthaṁ bhagavā avoca. Tatthetaṁ iti vuccati:

The Blessed One spoke on this matter. In this regard, it is said:

“Kāmanissaraṇaṁ ñatvā,
rūpānañca atikkamaṁ;
Sabbasaṅkhārasamathaṁ,
phusaṁ ātāpi sabbadā.

“Having known the escape from sensual pleasures,
and the |surpassing::transcending, overcoming [atikkama]| of forms;
One |with continuous effort::ardent, zealous, with energy, with application [ātāpī]|,
reaches |the stilling of all intentional constructs::calming of all intentions, volitions, mental activities. This is sometimes rendered as stilling of all formations [sabbasaṅkhārasamatha]|.

Sa ve sammaddaso bhikkhu,
yato tattha vimuccati;
Abhiññāvosito santo,
sa ve yogātigo munī”ti.

Such a bhikkhu, |seeing correctly::understanding perfectly [sammaddasa]|,
is thereby well-released;
Attained to perfect understanding, at peace,
the |sage::seer, hermit, monk [munī]| has overcome all bonds.”

Ayampi attho vutto bhagavatā, iti me sutanti.

This matter too was spoken by the Blessed One, as I have heard.

Qualities:

Ending

Ending

The complete exhaustion and cessation of craving, aversion, and delusion—the three roots of suffering. It refers to both the gradual wearing away of defilements through practice and the final cessation that constitutes Nibbāna.

Also known as: cessation, exhaustion, gradual ending, wearing away
Pāli: khaya, khīṇa, nirodha
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Formless

Formless

A meditative domain that transcends all perception of material form, progressing through the bases of infinite space, infinite consciousness, nothingness, and neither-perception-nor-non-perception. These states represent refined levels of collectedness beyond attachment to physical phenomena.

Also known as: immaterial, surpassing forms
Pāli: arūpa
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Giving up

Giving up

The mental quality of renunciation and release from attachment. It delights in simplicity and freedom rather than in sensual pleasure. Giving up is not loss but the joyful abandoning of burden, opening the way to peace and insight.

Also known as: renunciation, relinquishment, letting go, abandonment
Pāli: nekkhamma
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Perceiving escape

Perceiving escape

The contemplative perception that recognizes the way out of bondage after understanding gratification and danger, seeing cessation of a dissatisfactory experience as its true escape.

Also known as: observing the release, seeing the way out, contemplating the remedy, recognizing the way leading beyond suffering
Pāli: nissaraṇānupassī, nissaraṇaṁ yathābhūtaṁ pajānāti
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Last updated on December 13, 2025