Visuddhimagga X-60

Yathā hi catubhūmikassa pāsādassa heṭṭhimatale dibbanaccagītavāditasurabhigandhamālābhojanasayanacchādanādivasena paṇītā pañcakāmaguṇā paccupaṭṭhitā assu.

即譬如有四层的大楼，在最下层虽可得有天的歌舞、音乐、芳香、花鬘、饮食、卧具、衣服等胜妙的五种欲（色声香味触），

Ñ(X,60): Suppose there were a four-storied palace: on its first floor the five objects of sense pleasure were provided in a very fine form as divine dancing, singing and music, and perfumes, scents, garlands, food, couches, clothing, etc.,

Dutiye tato paṇītatarā.

但在第二层（的五欲）可得较胜于下层，

Ñ: and on the second they were finer than that,

Tatiye tato paṇītatarā.

第三层更胜，

Ñ: and on the third finer still,

Catutthe sabbapaṇītatarā.

第四层可得一切最胜妙。

Ñ: and on the fourth they were finest of all;

Tattha kiñcāpi tāni cattāripi pāsādatalāneva,

虽然这四层大楼，

Ñ: yet they are still only palace floors,

natthi nesaṃ pāsādatalabhāvena viseso.

依层楼是没有什么差别，

Ñ: and there is no difference between them in the matter of their state (essence) as palace floors;

Pañcakāmaguṇasamiddhavisesena pana heṭṭhimato heṭṭhimato uparimaṃ uparimaṃ paṇītataraṃ hoti.

但依五种欲的成就而言差别，即愈上层而次第比较下层为愈加胜妙。

Ñ: it is with the progressive refinement of the five objects of sense pleasure that each one is finer than the one below;—

Yathā ca ekāya itthiyā kantitathūlasaṇhasaṇhatarasaṇhatamasuttānaṃ catupalatipaladvipalaekapalasāṭikā assu āyāmena ca vitthārena ca samappamāṇā.

又譬如由一位妇人纺的粗的、软的、更软的及最软的丝而制成四斤、三斤、二斤、一斤的四种衣服，其长度与宽度都是相同的。

Ñ: again suppose there were lengths of cloths of quadruple, treble, double and single thickness, and [made] of thick, thin, thinner, and very thin thread spun by one woman, all the same measure in width and breadth;

Tattha kiñcāpi tā sāṭikā catassopi āyāmato ca vitthārato ca samappamāṇā,

虽然就那四种衣服的相等的长度和宽度说，

Ñ: now although these lengths of cloth are four in number, yet they measure the same in width and breadth,

natthi tāsaṃ pamāṇato viseso.

是没有什么差别，

Ñ: there is no difference in their measurement;

Sukhasamphassasukhumabhāvamahagghabhāvehi pana purimāya purimāya pacchimā pacchimā paṇītatarā honti,

但根据其触肌的舒服，细软的状态及高贵的价值，则愈后者次第的比较前者愈为胜妙。

Ñ: but in softness to the touch, fineness, and costliness each is finer than the one before;—

evameva kiñcāpi catūsu etāsu upekkhā, cittekaggatāti etāni dveyeva aṅgāni honti,

如是虽然这四无色定中都只有舍与心一境性的二支，

Ñ: so too, although there are only the two factors in all four [immaterial states], that is to say, equanimity and unification of mind,

atha kho bhāvanāvisesena tesaṃ aṅgāni paṇītapaṇītatarabhāvena suppaṇītatarā honti pacchimā pacchimā idhāti veditabbā.

但依照其修习的差别则彼等（四无色定）的支成为一层胜一层，故知后后次第而较为胜妙。

Ñ: still each one should be understood as finer than the one before with the progressive refinement of the factors due to successful development.