At Sāvatthi.

"Bhikkhus, if there were no gratification in the earth element, beings would not be infatuated with the earth element. But because there is gratification in the earth element, beings become infatuated to it. If there were no drawback in the earth element, beings would not become disenchanted with the earth element. But because there is drawback in the earth element, beings become disenchanted with it. If there were no escape from the earth element, beings would not escape from it. But because there is an escape from the earth element, beings escape from it.

If there were no gratification in the water element, beings would not be infatuated with the water element. But because there is gratification in the water element, beings become infatuated to it. If there were no drawback in the water element, beings would not become disenchanted with the water element. But because there is drawback in the water element, beings become disenchanted with it. If there were no escape from the water element, beings would not escape from it. But because there is an escape from the water element, beings escape from it.

If there were no gratification in the fire element, beings would not be infatuated with the fire element. But because there is gratification in the fire element, beings become infatuated to it. If there were no drawback in the fire element, beings would not become disenchanted with the fire element. But because there is drawback in the fire element, beings become disenchanted with it. If there were no escape from the fire element, beings would not escape from it. But because there is an escape from the fire element, beings escape from it.

If there were no gratification in the air element, beings would not be infatuated with the air element. But because there is gratification in the air element, beings become infatuated to it. If there were no drawback in the air element, beings would not become disenchanted with the air element. But because there is drawback in the air element, beings become disenchanted with it. If there were no escape from the air element, beings would not escape from it. But because there is an escape from the air element, beings escape from it.

Bhikkhus, as long as beings have not experientially understood, as they truly are, the gratification as gratification, the drawback as drawback, and the escape as escape in regard to these four elements, they have not escaped from this world with its deities, Māras, and Brahmās, among this generation with its ascetics and brahmins, its kings and commoners; nor are they disentangled from it, nor fully released from it, nor do they dwell with a boundless mind.

But, bhikkhus, when beings experientially understand, as they truly are, the gratification as gratification, the drawback as drawback, and the escape as escape in regard to these four elements, they have escaped from this world with its deities, Māras, and Brahmās, among this generation with its ascetics and brahmins, its kings and commoners; they are disentangled from it, fully released from it, and they dwell with a boundless mind."