Visuddhimagga X-61

291. Evaṃ anupubbena paṇītapaṇītā cetā –

此等（四无色定）有这样次第的比较胜妙：

Ñ(X,61): And for the fact that each of them is finer than the last [there is this figure:]

Asucimhi maṇḍape laggo, eko tannissito paro;

Añño bahi anissāya, taṃ taṃ nissāya cāparo.

Ṭhito catūhi etehi, purisehi yathākkamaṃ;

Samānatāya ñātabbā, catassopi vibhāvinā.

一人紧握不净的草蓬，

另外一人靠着他而立，

一人不以靠近而在外，

另一人又靠着他而立。

正如这样的四个人，

慧者当知四（无色定）的次第。

Ñ: One hangs upon a tent that stands

On filth; on him another leans.

Outside a third not leaning stands,

Against the last another leans.

Between the four men and these states

The correspondence then is shown,

And so how each to each relates

Can by a man of wit be known.