The Long Āgama Sūtra 24.22

24.22

「如是展轉，至兜率天、化自在天、他化自在天，皆言：『我不知四大何由而滅？上更有天，微妙第一，有大智慧，名梵迦夷，彼天能知四大何由永滅。』彼比丘即倐趣梵道，詣梵天上問言：『此身四大，地、水、火、風，何由永滅？』彼梵天報比丘言：『我不知四大何由永滅，今有大梵天王，無能勝者，統千世界，富貴尊豪，最得自在，能造化物，是眾生父母，彼能知四大由何永滅。』長者子！彼比丘尋問：『彼大梵王今為所在？』彼天報言：『不知大梵今為所在，以我意觀，出現不久。』未久，梵王忽然出現。長者！彼比丘詣梵王所問言：『此身四大，地、水、火、風，何由永滅？』彼大梵王告比丘言：『我梵天王無能勝者，統千世界，富貴尊豪，最得自在，能造萬物，眾生父母。』時，彼比丘告梵王曰：『我不問此事，自問四大，地、水、火、風，何由永滅？』

“Thus, he went to the Tuṣita Heaven … the Nirmāṇarati Heaven … the Paranirmitavaśavartin Heaven. They said, ‘We don’t know. How are the four elements made to cease forever? There’s yet another heaven above us that’s sublime and supreme, and they have great wisdom. It’s called the Brahmakāyika. Those gods may know how the four elements are ceased forever.’

“That monk then instantly headed for the Brahma road. He went to that Brahma Heaven above and asked, ‘How are the four elements of this body made to cease forever, which are earth, water, fire, and air?’

“Those Brahma gods replied to the monk, ‘We don’t know. How are the four elements made to cease forever? Now, there’s the heaven of King Great Brahmā the Undefeatable, Ruler of a Thousand Worlds, the Noble Lord, Highest Attainer of Sovereignty, Creator of Everything, and Parent to Sentient Beings. He may know how the four elements are ceased forever.’

“Prominent man’s son, that monk immediately asked, ‘Now, where would King Great Brahmā be?’

“Those gods replied, ‘We don’t know where Great Brahmā is, but judging by what we see, he’ll appear soon.’ Soon after, the Brahma King suddenly appeared.

“Prominent man’s son, that monk went to the Brahma King and asked him, ‘How are the four elements of this body made to cease forever, which are earth, water, fire, and air?’

“That King Great Brahmā told the monk, ‘I am the king of Brahmas, the Undefeatable, Ruler of a Thousand Worlds, the Noble Lord, Highest Attainer of Sovereignty, Creator of Everything, and Parent to Sentient Beings.’

“That monk then told the Brahma King, ‘I didn’t ask about that. My question is: How are the four elements made to cease forever, which are earth, water, fire, and air?’