I Walked

THUS have I heard.
On a certain occasion the Exalted One was staying near Sāvatthī in Jeta Grove, the Anāthapiṇḍika Park.
Then the Exalted One addressed the brethren, saying:
"Brethren."
"Yes, lord," replied those brethren to the Exalted One.
The Exalted One said:
"I walked seeking the satisfaction, brethren,
that comes from the earth-element.
I found that satisfaction, brethren,
that comes from the earth-element
so that by insight
I saw it well.
I walked seeking the misery, brethren,
that comes from the earth-element.
I found that misery, brethren,
that comes from the earth-element
so that by insight
I saw it well.
I walked seeking the escape, brethren,
from the earth-element.
I found the escape, brethren,
from the earth-element.
so that by insight
I saw it well.
I walked seeking the satisfaction, brethren,
that comes from the water-element.
I found that satisfaction, brethren,
that comes from the water-element
so that by insight
I saw it well.
I walked seeking the misery, brethren,
that comes from the water-element.
I found that misery, brethren,
that comes from the water-element
so that by insight
I saw it well.
I walked seeking the escape, brethren,
from the water-element.
I found the escape, brethren,
from the water-element,
so that by insight
I saw it well.
I walked seeking the satisfaction, brethren,
that comes from the heat-element.
I found that satisfaction, brethren,
that comes from the heat-element
so that by insight
I saw it well.
I walked seeking the misery, brethren,
that comes from the heat-element.
I found that misery, brethren,
that comes from the heat-element
so that by insight
I saw it well.
I walked seeking the escape, brethren,
from the water-element.
I found the escape, brethren,
from the heat-element,
so that by insight
I saw it well.
I walked seeking the satisfaction, brethren,
that comes from the air-element.
I found that satisfaction, brethren,
that comes from the air-element
so that by insight
I saw it well.
I walked seeking the misery, brethren,
that comes from the air-element.
I found that misery, brethren,
that comes from the air-element
so that by insight
I saw it well.
I walked seeking the escape, brethren,
from the water-element.
I found the escape, brethren,
from the air-element,
so that by insight
I saw it well.
So long as I, brethren,
had not fully come to know
even as it really is
the satisfaction as such,
the misery as such,
the escape as such
that there is in the four elements,
so long did I not discern
what it was to be enlightened
with supreme enlightenment
with regard to the world and its deities -
its Maras,
its Brahmas -
and to the generations of recluses and brahmins,
devas and men.
But when I, brethren,
had fully come to know
even as it really is
the satisfaction as such,
the misery as such,
the escape as such
that there is in the four elements,
then did I discern
what it is to be enlightened
with supreme enlightenment
with regard to the world and its deities,
its Maras,
its Brahmas,
and to the generations of recluses and brahmins,
devas and men.
And knowledge, insight arose in me
that sure is my emancipation of mind.
This is the last birth!
Now is there no more rebecoming!