This was said by the Buddha, the Perfected One: that is what I heard. Vuttañhetaṁ bhagavatā vuttamarahatāti me sutaṁ:

“Mendicants, formless states are more peaceful than states of form; cessation is more peaceful than formless states.” “Rūpehi, bhikkhave, arūpā santatarā, arūpehi nirodho santataro”ti.

The Buddha spoke this matter. Etamatthaṁ bhagavā avoca. On this it is said: Tatthetaṁ iti vuccati:

“There are beings in the realm of luminous form, “Ye ca rūpūpagā sattā, and others stuck in the formless. ye ca arūpaṭṭhāyino; Not understanding cessation, Nirodhaṁ appajānantā, they return in future lives. āgantāro punabbhavaṁ.

But the people who completely understand form, Ye ca rūpe pariññāya, not stuck in the formless, arūpesu asaṇṭhitā; released in cessation—Nirodhe ye vimuccanti, they are conquerors of death. te janā maccuhāyino.

Having directly experienced <j>the element free of death, Kāyena amatadhātuṁ, free of attachments; phusayitvā nirūpadhiṁ; having realised relinquishment Upadhippaṭinissaggaṁ, of attachments, the undefiled sacchikatvā anāsavo; fully awakened Buddha teaches Deseti sammāsambuddho, the sorrowless, stainless state.” asokaṁ virajaṁ padan”ti.

This too is a matter that was spoken by the Blessed One: that is what I heard. Ayampi attho vutto bhagavatā, iti me sutanti.

Catutthaṁ.