SN 22.43 · Be Your Own Island
SN 22.43 · Attadīpasutta
At Sāvatthī.
Sāvatthinidānaṁ.
“Mendicants, be your own island, your own refuge, with no other refuge. Let the teaching be your island and your refuge, with no other refuge.
“Attadīpā, bhikkhave, viharatha attasaraṇā anaññasaraṇā, dhammadīpā dhammasaraṇā anaññasaraṇā.
When you live like this, you should examine rationally: ‘From what are sorrow, lamentation, pain, sadness, and distress born and produced?’
Attadīpānaṁ, bhikkhave, viharataṁ attasaraṇānaṁ anaññasaraṇānaṁ, dhammadīpānaṁ dhammasaraṇānaṁ anaññasaraṇānaṁ yoni upaparikkhitabbā ‘Kiṁjātikā sokaparidevadukkhadomanassupāyāsā, kiṁpahotikā’ti?
And, mendicants, from what are sorrow, lamentation, pain, sadness, and distress born and produced? It’s when an unlearned ordinary person has not seen the noble ones, and is neither skilled nor trained in the teaching of the noble ones. They’ve not seen true persons, and are neither skilled nor trained in the teaching of the true persons. They regard form as self, self as having form, form in self, or self in form. But that form of theirs decays and perishes, which gives rise to sorrow, lamentation, pain, sadness, and distress.
Kiṁjātikā ca, bhikkhave, sokaparidevadukkhadomanassupāyāsā, kiṁpahotikā? Idha, bhikkhave, assutavā puthujjano ariyānaṁ adassāvī ariyadhammassa akovido ariyadhamme avinīto, sappurisānaṁ adassāvī sappurisadhammassa akovido sappurisadhamme avinīto, rūpaṁ attato samanupassati, rūpavantaṁ vā attānaṁ; attani vā rūpaṁ, rūpasmiṁ vā attānaṁ. Tassa taṁ rūpaṁ vipariṇamati, aññathā ca hoti. Tassa rūpavipariṇāmaññathābhāvā uppajjanti sokaparidevadukkhadomanassupāyāsā.
They regard feeling as self …
Vedanaṁ attato samanupassati, vedanāvantaṁ vā attānaṁ; attani vā vedanaṁ, vedanāya vā attānaṁ. Tassa sā vedanā vipariṇamati, aññathā ca hoti. Tassa vedanāvipariṇāmaññathābhāvā uppajjanti sokaparideva …pe… pāyāsā.
They regard perception as self …
Saññaṁ attato samanupassati …
They regard choices as self …
saṅkhāre attato samanupassati …
They regard consciousness as self, self as having consciousness, consciousness in self, or self in consciousness. But that consciousness of theirs decays and perishes, which gives rise to sorrow, lamentation, pain, sadness, and distress.
viññāṇaṁ attato samanupassati, viññāṇavantaṁ vā attānaṁ; attani vā viññāṇaṁ, viññāṇasmiṁ vā attānaṁ. Tassa taṁ viññāṇaṁ vipariṇamati, aññathā ca hoti. Tassa viññāṇavipariṇāmaññathābhāvā uppajjanti sokaparidevadukkhadomanassupāyāsā.
Sorrow, lamentation, pain, sadness, and distress are given up when you understand the impermanence of form—its perishing, fading away, and cessation—and you truly see with right understanding that all form, whether past or present, is impermanent, suffering, and perishable. When these things are given up there’s no anxiety. Without anxiety you live happily. A mendicant who lives happily is said to be quenched in that respect.
Rūpassa tveva, bhikkhave, aniccataṁ viditvā vipariṇāmaṁ virāgaṁ nirodhaṁ, ‘pubbe ceva rūpaṁ etarahi ca sabbaṁ rūpaṁ aniccaṁ dukkhaṁ vipariṇāmadhamman’ti, evametaṁ yathābhūtaṁ sammappaññāya passato ye sokaparidevadukkhadomanassupāyāsā te pahīyanti. Tesaṁ pahānā na paritassati, aparitassaṁ sukhaṁ viharati, sukhavihārī bhikkhu ‘tadaṅganibbuto’ti vuccati.
Sorrow, lamentation, pain, sadness, and distress are given up when you understand the impermanence of feeling …
Vedanāya tveva, bhikkhave, aniccataṁ viditvā vipariṇāmaṁ virāgaṁ nirodhaṁ, ‘pubbe ceva vedanā etarahi ca sabbā vedanā aniccā dukkhā vipariṇāmadhammā’ti, evametaṁ yathābhūtaṁ sammappaññāya passato ye sokaparidevadukkhadomanassupāyāsā te pahīyanti. Tesaṁ pahānā na paritassati, aparitassaṁ sukhaṁ viharati, sukhavihārī bhikkhu ‘tadaṅganibbuto’ti vuccati.
choices …
saṅkhārānaṁ tveva, bhikkhave, aniccataṁ viditvā vipariṇāmaṁ virāgaṁ nirodhaṁ, ‘pubbe ceva saṅkhārā etarahi ca sabbe saṅkhārā aniccā dukkhā vipariṇāmadhammā’ti, evametaṁ yathābhūtaṁ sammappaññāya passato ye sokaparidevadukkhadomanassupāyāsā te pahīyanti. Tesaṁ pahānā na paritassati, aparitassaṁ sukhaṁ viharati, sukhavihārī bhikkhu ‘tadaṅganibbuto’ti vuccati.
consciousness—its perishing, fading away, and cessation—and you truly see with right understanding that all consciousness, whether past or present, is impermanent, suffering, and perishable. When these things are given up there’s no anxiety. Without anxiety you live happily. A mendicant who lives happily is said to be quenched in that respect.”
Viññāṇassa tveva, bhikkhave, aniccataṁ viditvā vipariṇāmaṁ virāgaṁ nirodhaṁ, ‘pubbe ceva viññāṇaṁ etarahi ca sabbaṁ viññāṇaṁ aniccaṁ dukkhaṁ vipariṇāmadhamman’ti, evametaṁ yathābhūtaṁ sammappaññāya passato ye sokaparidevadukkhadomanassupāyāsā te pahīyanti. Tesaṁ pahānā na paritassati, aparitassaṁ sukhaṁ viharati, sukhavihārī bhikkhu ‘tadaṅganibbuto’ti vuccatī”ti.
Paṭhamaṁ.
SN 22.44 · Practice
SN 22.44 · Paṭipadāsutta
At Sāvatthī.
Sāvatthinidānaṁ.
“Mendicants, I will teach you the practice that leads to the origin of substantial reality and the practice that leads to the cessation of substantial reality. Listen …
“Sakkāyasamudayagāminiñca vo, bhikkhave, paṭipadaṁ desessāmi, sakkāyanirodhagāminiñca paṭipadaṁ. Taṁ suṇātha.
And what is the practice that leads to the origin of substantial reality? It’s when an unlearned ordinary person has not seen the noble ones, and is neither skilled nor trained in the teaching of the noble ones. They’ve not seen true persons, and are neither skilled nor trained in the teaching of the true persons.
Katamā ca, bhikkhave, sakkāyasamudayagāminī paṭipadā? Idha, bhikkhave, assutavā puthujjano ariyānaṁ adassāvī ariyadhammassa akovido ariyadhamme avinīto, sappurisānaṁ adassāvī sappurisadhammassa akovido sappurisadhamme avinīto,
They regard form as self, self as having form, form in self, or self in form.
rūpaṁ attato samanupassati, rūpavantaṁ vā attānaṁ; attani vā rūpaṁ, rūpasmiṁ vā attānaṁ.
They regard feeling as self …
Vedanaṁ attato …
They regard perception as self …
saññaṁ …
They regard choices as self …
saṅkhāre …
They regard consciousness as self, self as having consciousness, consciousness in self, or self in consciousness.
viññāṇaṁ attato samanupassati, viññāṇavantaṁ vā attānaṁ; attani vā viññāṇaṁ, viññāṇasmiṁ vā attānaṁ.
This is called the practice that leads to the origin of substantial reality. And that’s why it’s called a way of regarding things that leads to the origin of suffering.
Ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, ‘sakkāyasamudayagāminī paṭipadā, sakkāyasamudayagāminī paṭipadā’ti. Iti hidaṁ, bhikkhave, vuccati ‘dukkhasamudayagāminī samanupassanā’ti. Ayamevettha attho.
And what is the practice that leads to the cessation of substantial reality? It’s when a learned noble disciple has seen the noble ones, and is skilled and trained in the teaching of the noble ones. They’ve seen true persons, and are skilled and trained in the teaching of the true persons.
Katamā ca, bhikkhave, sakkāyanirodhagāminī paṭipadā? Idha, bhikkhave, sutavā ariyasāvako ariyānaṁ dassāvī ariyadhammassa kovido ariyadhamme suvinīto, sappurisānaṁ dassāvī sappurisadhammassa kovido sappurisadhamme suvinīto,
They don’t regard form as self, self as having form, form in self, or self in form.
na rūpaṁ attato samanupassati, na rūpavantaṁ vā attānaṁ; na attani vā rūpaṁ, na rūpasmiṁ vā attānaṁ.
They don’t regard feeling as self …
Na vedanaṁ attato …
They don’t regard perception as self …
na saññaṁ …
They don’t regard choices as self …
na saṅkhāre …
They don’t regard consciousness as self, self as having consciousness, consciousness in self, or self in consciousness.
na viññāṇaṁ attato samanupassati, na viññāṇavantaṁ vā attānaṁ; na attani vā viññāṇaṁ, na viññāṇasmiṁ vā attānaṁ.
This is called the practice that leads to the cessation of substantial reality. And that’s why it’s called a way of regarding things that leads to the cessation of suffering.”
Ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, ‘sakkāyanirodhagāminī paṭipadā, sakkāyanirodhagāminī paṭipadā’ti. Iti hidaṁ, bhikkhave, vuccati ‘dukkhanirodhagāminī samanupassanā’ti. Ayamevettha attho”ti.
Dutiyaṁ.
SN 22.45 · Impermanence
SN 22.45 · Aniccasutta
At Sāvatthī.
Sāvatthinidānaṁ.
“Mendicants, form is impermanent. What’s impermanent is suffering. What’s suffering is not-self. And what’s not-self should be truly seen with right understanding like this: ‘This is not mine, I am not this, this is not my self.’ Seeing truly with right understanding like this, the mind becomes dispassionate and freed from defilements by not grasping.
“Rūpaṁ, bhikkhave, aniccaṁ. Yadaniccaṁ taṁ dukkhaṁ; yaṁ dukkhaṁ tadanattā; yadanattā taṁ ‘netaṁ mama, nesohamasmi, na meso attā’ti evametaṁ yathābhūtaṁ sammappaññāya daṭṭhabbaṁ. Evametaṁ yathābhūtaṁ sammappaññāya passato cittaṁ virajjati vimuccati anupādāya āsavehi.
Feeling is impermanent …
Vedanā aniccā …
Consciousness is impermanent. What’s impermanent is suffering. What’s suffering is not-self. And what’s not-self should be truly seen with right understanding like this: ‘This is not mine, I am not this, this is not my self.’ Seeing truly with right understanding like this, the mind becomes dispassionate and freed from defilements by not grasping.
viññāṇaṁ aniccaṁ. Yadaniccaṁ taṁ dukkhaṁ; yaṁ dukkhaṁ tadanattā; yadanattā taṁ ‘netaṁ mama, nesohamasmi, na meso attā’ti evametaṁ yathābhūtaṁ sammappaññāya daṭṭhabbaṁ. Evametaṁ yathābhūtaṁ sammappaññāya passato cittaṁ virajjati vimuccati anupādāya āsavehi.
If a mendicant’s mind is dispassionate toward the form element, the feeling element, the perception element, the choices element, and the consciousness element, it’s freed from defilements by not grasping.
Rūpadhātuyā ce, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno cittaṁ virattaṁ vimuttaṁ hoti anupādāya āsavehi, vedanādhātuyā …pe… saññādhātuyā … saṅkhāradhātuyā … viññāṇadhātuyā ce, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno cittaṁ virattaṁ vimuttaṁ hoti anupādāya āsavehi.
Being free, it’s stable. Being stable, it’s content. Being content, they’re not anxious. Not being anxious, they personally become extinguished.
Vimuttattā ṭhitaṁ. Ṭhitattā santusitaṁ. Santusitattā na paritassati. Aparitassaṁ paccattaññeva parinibbāyati.
They understand: ‘Rebirth is ended, the spiritual journey has been completed, what had to be done has been done, there is nothing further for this place.’”
‘Khīṇā jāti, vusitaṁ brahmacariyaṁ, kataṁ karaṇīyaṁ, nāparaṁ itthattāyā’ti pajānātī”ti.
Tatiyaṁ.
SN 22.46 · Impermanence (2nd)
SN 22.46 · Dutiyaaniccasutta
At Sāvatthī.
Sāvatthinidānaṁ.
“Mendicants, form is impermanent. What’s impermanent is suffering. What’s suffering is not-self. And what’s not-self should be truly seen with right understanding like this: ‘This is not mine, I am not this, this is not my self.’
“Rūpaṁ, bhikkhave, aniccaṁ. Yadaniccaṁ taṁ dukkhaṁ; yaṁ dukkhaṁ tadanattā; yadanattā taṁ ‘netaṁ mama, nesohamasmi, na meso attā’ti evametaṁ yathābhūtaṁ sammappaññāya daṭṭhabbaṁ.
Feeling is impermanent …
Vedanā aniccā …
Perception is impermanent …
saññā aniccā …
Choices are impermanent …
saṅkhārā aniccā …
Consciousness is impermanent. What’s impermanent is suffering. What’s suffering is not-self. And what’s not-self should be truly seen with right understanding like this: ‘This is not mine, I am not this, this is not my self.’
viññāṇaṁ aniccaṁ. Yadaniccaṁ taṁ dukkhaṁ; yaṁ dukkhaṁ tadanattā; yadanattā taṁ ‘netaṁ mama, nesohamasmi, na meso attā’ti evametaṁ yathābhūtaṁ sammappaññāya daṭṭhabbaṁ.
Seeing truly with right understanding like this, they have no theories about the first beginning. Not having theories about the first beginning, they have no theories about the final end. Not having theories about the final end, they don’t obstinately stick to them. Not misapprehending, the mind becomes dispassionate toward form, feeling, perception, choices, and consciousness; it’s freed from defilements by not grasping.
Evametaṁ yathābhūtaṁ sammappaññāya passato pubbantānudiṭṭhiyo na honti. Pubbantānudiṭṭhīnaṁ asati, aparantānudiṭṭhiyo na honti. Aparantānudiṭṭhīnaṁ asati, thāmaso parāmāso na hoti. Thāmase parāmāse asati rūpasmiṁ … vedanāya … saññāya … saṅkhāresu … viññāṇasmiṁ cittaṁ virajjati vimuccati anupādāya āsavehi.
Being free, it’s stable. Being stable, it’s content. Being content, they’re not anxious. Not being anxious, they personally become extinguished.
Vimuttattā ṭhitaṁ. Ṭhitattā santusitaṁ. Santusitattā na paritassati. Aparitassaṁ paccattaññeva parinibbāyati.
They understand: ‘Rebirth is ended, the spiritual journey has been completed, what had to be done has been done, there is nothing further for this place.’”
‘Khīṇā jāti, vusitaṁ brahmacariyaṁ, kataṁ karaṇīyaṁ, nāparaṁ itthattāyā’ti pajānātī”ti.
Catutthaṁ.
SN 22.47 · Ways of Regarding
SN 22.47 · Samanupassanāsutta
At Sāvatthī.
Sāvatthinidānaṁ.
“Mendicants, whatever ascetics and brahmins regard various kinds of things as self, all regard the five grasping aggregates, or one of them.
“Ye hi keci, bhikkhave, samaṇā vā brāhmaṇā vā anekavihitaṁ attānaṁ samanupassamānā samanupassanti, sabbete pañcupādānakkhandhe samanupassanti, etesaṁ vā aññataraṁ.
What five? It’s when an unlearned ordinary person has not seen the noble ones, and is neither skilled nor trained in the teaching of the noble ones. They’ve not seen true persons, and are neither skilled nor trained in the teaching of the true persons.
Katame pañca? Idha, bhikkhave, assutavā puthujjano ariyānaṁ adassāvī ariyadhammassa akovido ariyadhamme avinīto, sappurisānaṁ adassāvī sappurisadhammassa akovido sappurisadhamme avinīto
They regard form as self, self as having form, form in self, or self in form. They regard feeling … perception … choices … consciousness as self, self as having consciousness, consciousness in self, or self in consciousness.
rūpaṁ attato samanupassati, rūpavantaṁ vā attānaṁ; attani vā rūpaṁ, rūpasmiṁ vā attānaṁ. Vedanaṁ … saññaṁ … saṅkhāre … viññāṇaṁ attato samanupassati, viññāṇavantaṁ vā attānaṁ; attani vā viññāṇaṁ, viññāṇasmiṁ vā attānaṁ.
So they’re not rid of this way of regarding things, and the conceit ‘I am’. As long as they’re not rid of the conceit ‘I am’, the five faculties are conceived— the eye, ear, nose, tongue, and body. The mind, ideas, and the element of ignorance are all present. Struck by feelings born of contact with ignorance, an unlearned ordinary person thinks ‘I am’, ‘I am this’, ‘I will be’, ‘I will not be’, ‘I will have form’, ‘I will be formless’, ‘I will be percipient’, ‘I will not be percipient’, ‘I will be neither percipient nor non-percipient’.
Iti ayañceva samanupassanā ‘asmī’ti cassa avigataṁ hoti. ‘Asmī’ti kho pana, bhikkhave, avigate pañcannaṁ indriyānaṁ avakkanti hoti— cakkhundriyassa sotindriyassa ghānindriyassa jivhindriyassa kāyindriyassa. Atthi, bhikkhave, mano, atthi dhammā, atthi avijjādhātu. Avijjāsamphassajena, bhikkhave, vedayitena phuṭṭhassa assutavato puthujjanassa ‘asmī’tipissa hoti; ‘ayamahamasmī’tipissa hoti; ‘bhavissan’tipissa hoti; ‘na bhavissan’tipissa hoti; ‘rūpī bhavissan’tipissa hoti; ‘arūpī bhavissan’tipissa hoti; ‘saññī bhavissan’tipissa hoti; ‘asaññī bhavissan’tipissa hoti; ‘nevasaññīnāsaññī bhavissan’tipissa hoti.
The five faculties stay right where they are. But a learned noble disciple gives up ignorance about them and gives rise to knowledge. With the fading away of ignorance and the arising of knowledge, they don’t think ‘I am’, ‘I am this’, ‘I will be’, ‘I will not be’, ‘I will have form’, ‘I will be formless’, ‘I will be percipient’, ‘I will be non-percipient’, ‘I will be neither percipient nor non-percipient’.”
Tiṭṭhanteva kho, bhikkhave, tattheva pañcindriyāni. Athettha sutavato ariyasāvakassa avijjā pahīyati, vijjā uppajjati. Tassa avijjāvirāgā vijjuppādā ‘asmī’tipissa na hoti; ‘ayamahamasmī’tipissa na hoti; ‘bhavissan’ti … ‘na bhavissan’ti … rūpī … arūpī … saññī … asaññī … ‘nevasaññīnāsaññī bhavissan’tipissa na hotī”ti.
Pañcamaṁ.
SN 22.48 · Aggregates
SN 22.48 · Khandhasutta
At Sāvatthī.
Sāvatthinidānaṁ.
“Mendicants, I will teach you the five aggregates and the five grasping aggregates. Listen …
“Pañca, bhikkhave, khandhe desessāmi, pañcupādānakkhandhe ca. Taṁ suṇātha.
And what are the five aggregates?
Katame ca, bhikkhave, pañcakkhandhā?
Any kind of form at all—past, future, or present; internal or external; solid or subtle; inferior or superior; far or near: this is called the aggregate of form.
Yaṁ kiñci, bhikkhave, rūpaṁ atītānāgatapaccuppannaṁ ajjhattaṁ vā bahiddhā vā oḷārikaṁ vā sukhumaṁ vā hīnaṁ vā paṇītaṁ vā yaṁ dūre santike vā, ayaṁ vuccati rūpakkhandho.
Any kind of feeling at all …
Yā kāci vedanā …pe…
Any kind of perception at all …
yā kāci saññā …
Any kind of choices at all …
ye keci saṅkhārā atītānāgatapaccuppannā ajjhattaṁ vā bahiddhā vā oḷārikā vā sukhumā vā …pe… ayaṁ vuccati saṅkhārakkhandho.
Any kind of consciousness at all—past, future, or present; internal or external; solid or subtle; inferior or superior; far or near: this is called the aggregate of consciousness.
Yaṁ kiñci viññāṇaṁ atītānāgatapaccuppannaṁ ajjhattaṁ vā bahiddhā vā oḷārikaṁ vā sukhumaṁ vā hīnaṁ vā paṇītaṁ vā yaṁ dūre santike vā, ayaṁ vuccati viññāṇakkhandho.
These are called the five aggregates.
Ime vuccanti, bhikkhave, pañcakkhandhā.
And what are the five grasping aggregates?
Katame ca, bhikkhave, pañcupādānakkhandhā?
Any kind of form at all—past, future, or present; internal or external; solid or subtle; inferior or superior; far or near, which is accompanied by defilements and fuels grasping: this is called the grasping aggregate of form.
Yaṁ kiñci, bhikkhave, rūpaṁ atītānāgatapaccuppannaṁ …pe… yaṁ dūre santike vā sāsavaṁ upādāniyaṁ, ayaṁ vuccati rūpupādānakkhandho.
Any kind of feeling at all …
Yā kāci vedanā …pe… yā dūre santike vā sāsavā upādāniyā, ayaṁ vuccati vedanupādānakkhandho.
Any kind of perception at all …
Yā kāci saññā …pe… yā dūre santike vā sāsavā upādāniyā, ayaṁ vuccati saññupādānakkhandho.
Any kind of choices at all …
Ye keci saṅkhārā …pe… sāsavā upādāniyā, ayaṁ vuccati saṅkhārupādānakkhandho.
Any kind of consciousness at all—past, future, or present; internal or external; solid or subtle; inferior or superior; far or near, which is accompanied by defilements and fuels grasping: this is called the grasping aggregate of consciousness.
Yaṁ kiñci viññāṇaṁ atītānāgatapaccuppannaṁ …pe… yaṁ dūre santike vā sāsavaṁ upādāniyaṁ, ayaṁ vuccati viññāṇupādānakkhandho.
These are called the five grasping aggregates.”
Ime vuccanti, bhikkhave, pañcupādānakkhandhā”ti.
Chaṭṭhaṁ.
SN 22.49 · With Soṇa
SN 22.49 · Soṇasutta
So I have heard. At one time the Buddha was staying near Rājagaha in the Bamboo Grove, the squirrels’ feeding ground.
Evaṁ me sutaṁ— ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā rājagahe viharati veḷuvane kalandakanivāpe.
Then the householder Soṇa went up to the Buddha … The Buddha said to him:
Atha kho soṇo gahapatiputto yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami …pe… ekamantaṁ nisinnaṁ kho soṇaṁ gahapatiputtaṁ bhagavā etadavoca:
“Soṇa, there are ascetics and brahmins who—based on form, which is impermanent, suffering, and perishable—regard themselves thus: ‘I’m better’, or ‘I’m equal’, or ‘I’m worse’. What is that but a failure to see truly? Based on feeling … perception … choices … consciousness, which is impermanent, suffering, and perishable, they regard themselves thus: ‘I’m better’, or ‘I’m equal’, or ‘I’m worse’. What is that but a failure to see truly?
“Ye hi keci, soṇa, samaṇā vā brāhmaṇā vā aniccena rūpena dukkhena vipariṇāmadhammena ‘seyyohamasmī’ti vā samanupassanti; ‘sadisohamasmī’ti vā samanupassanti; ‘hīnohamasmī’ti vā samanupassanti; kimaññatra yathābhūtassa adassanā? Aniccāya vedanāya dukkhāya vipariṇāmadhammāya ‘seyyohamasmī’ti vā samanupassanti; ‘sadisohamasmī’ti vā samanupassanti; ‘hīnohamasmī’ti vā samanupassanti; kimaññatra yathābhūtassa adassanā? Aniccāya saññāya … aniccehi saṅkhārehi dukkhehi vipariṇāmadhammehi ‘seyyohamasmī’ti vā samanupassanti; ‘sadisohamasmī’ti vā samanupassanti; ‘hīnohamasmī’ti vā samanupassanti; kimaññatra yathābhūtassa adassanā? Aniccena viññāṇena dukkhena vipariṇāmadhammena ‘seyyohamasmī’ti vā samanupassanti; ‘sadisohamasmī’ti vā samanupassanti; ‘hīnohamasmī’ti vā samanupassanti; kimaññatra yathābhūtassa adassanā?
There are ascetics and brahmins who—based on form, which is impermanent, suffering, and perishable—don’t regard themselves thus: ‘I’m better’, or ‘I’m equal’, or ‘I’m worse’. What is that but seeing truly? Based on feeling … perception … choices … consciousness, which is impermanent, suffering, and perishable, they don’t regard themselves thus: ‘I’m better’, or ‘I’m equal’, or ‘I’m worse’. What is that but seeing truly?
Ye ca kho keci, soṇa, samaṇā vā brāhmaṇā vā aniccena rūpena dukkhena vipariṇāmadhammena ‘seyyohamasmī’tipi na samanupassanti; ‘sadisohamasmī’tipi na samanupassanti; ‘hīnohamasmī’tipi na samanupassanti; kimaññatra yathābhūtassa dassanā? Aniccāya vedanāya … aniccāya saññāya … aniccehi saṅkhārehi … aniccena viññāṇena dukkhena vipariṇāmadhammena ‘seyyohamasmī’tipi na samanupassanti; ‘sadisohamasmī’tipi na samanupassanti; ‘hīnohamasmī’tipi na samanupassanti; kimaññatra yathābhūtassa dassanā?
What do you think, Soṇa? Is form permanent or impermanent?”
Taṁ kiṁ maññasi, soṇa, rūpaṁ niccaṁ vā aniccaṁ vā”ti?
“Impermanent, sir.”
“Aniccaṁ, bhante”.
“But if it’s impermanent, is it suffering or happiness?”
“Yaṁ panāniccaṁ dukkhaṁ vā taṁ sukhaṁ vā”ti?
“Suffering, sir.”
“Dukkhaṁ, bhante”.
“But if it’s impermanent, suffering, and perishable, is it fit to be regarded thus: ‘This is mine, I am this, this is my self’?”
“Yaṁ panāniccaṁ dukkhaṁ vipariṇāmadhammaṁ kallaṁ nu taṁ samanupassituṁ: ‘etaṁ mama, esohamasmi, eso me attā’”ti?
“No, sir.”
“No hetaṁ, bhante”.
“Is feeling … perception … choices … consciousness permanent or impermanent?”
“Vedanā niccā vā aniccā vā”ti? “Aniccā, bhante” … “saññā … saṅkhārā … viññāṇaṁ niccaṁ vā aniccaṁ vā”ti?
“Impermanent, sir.”
“Aniccaṁ, bhante”.
“But if it’s impermanent, is it suffering or happiness?”
“Yaṁ panāniccaṁ dukkhaṁ vā taṁ sukhaṁ vā”ti?
“Suffering, sir.”
“Dukkhaṁ, bhante”.
“But if it’s impermanent, suffering, and perishable, is it fit to be regarded thus: ‘This is mine, I am this, this is my self’?”
“Yaṁ panāniccaṁ dukkhaṁ vipariṇāmadhammaṁ kallaṁ nu taṁ samanupassituṁ: ‘etaṁ mama, esohamasmi, eso me attā’”ti?
“No, sir.”
“No hetaṁ, bhante”.
“So, Soṇa, you should truly see any kind of form at all—past, future, or present; internal or external; solid or subtle; inferior or superior; far or near: <em>all</em> form—with right understanding: ‘This is not mine, I am not this, this is not my self.’
“Tasmātiha, soṇa, yaṁ kiñci rūpaṁ atītānāgatapaccuppannaṁ ajjhattaṁ vā bahiddhā vā oḷārikaṁ vā sukhumaṁ vā hīnaṁ vā paṇītaṁ vā yaṁ dūre santike vā, sabbaṁ rūpaṁ ‘netaṁ mama, nesohamasmi, na meso attā’ti evametaṁ yathābhūtaṁ sammappaññāya daṭṭhabbaṁ.
You should truly see any kind of feeling … perception … choices … consciousness at all—past, future, or present; internal or external; solid or subtle; inferior or superior; far or near: <em>all</em> consciousness—with right understanding: ‘This is not mine, I am not this, this is not my self.’
Yā kāci vedanā … yā kāci saññā … ye keci saṅkhārā … yaṁ kiñci viññāṇaṁ atītānāgatapaccuppannaṁ ajjhattaṁ vā bahiddhā vā oḷārikaṁ vā sukhumaṁ vā hīnaṁ vā paṇītaṁ vā yaṁ dūre santike vā, sabbaṁ viññāṇaṁ ‘netaṁ mama, nesohamasmi, na meso attā’ti evametaṁ yathābhūtaṁ sammappaññāya daṭṭhabbaṁ.
Seeing this, a learned noble disciple grows disillusioned with form, feeling, perception, choices, and consciousness. Being disillusioned, desire fades away. When desire fades away they’re freed. When they’re freed, they know they’re freed.
Evaṁ passaṁ, soṇa, sutavā ariyasāvako rūpasmimpi nibbindati, vedanāyapi nibbindati, saññāyapi nibbindati, saṅkhāresupi nibbindati, viññāṇasmimpi nibbindati. Nibbindaṁ virajjati; virāgā vimuccati. Vimuttasmiṁ vimuttamiti ñāṇaṁ hoti.
They understand: ‘Rebirth is ended, the spiritual journey has been completed, what had to be done has been done, there is nothing further for this place.’”
‘Khīṇā jāti, vusitaṁ brahmacariyaṁ, kataṁ karaṇīyaṁ, nāparaṁ itthattāyā’ti pajānātī”ti.
Sattamaṁ.
SN 22.50 · With Soṇa (2nd)
SN 22.50 · Dutiyasoṇasutta
So I have heard. At one time the Buddha was staying near Rājagaha in the Bamboo Grove, the squirrels’ feeding ground.
Evaṁ me sutaṁ— ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā rājagahe viharati veḷuvane kalandakanivāpe.
Then the householder Soṇa went up to the Buddha, bowed, and sat down to one side. The Buddha said to him:
Atha kho soṇo gahapatiputto yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ nisīdi. Ekamantaṁ nisinnaṁ kho soṇaṁ gahapatiputtaṁ bhagavā etadavoca:
“Soṇa, there are ascetics and brahmins who don’t understand form, its origin, its cessation, and the practice that leads to its cessation. They don’t understand feeling … perception … choices … consciousness, its origin, its cessation, and the practice that leads to its cessation. I don’t deem them as true ascetics and brahmins. Those venerables don’t realize the goal of life as an ascetic or brahmin, and don’t live having realized it with their own insight in this very life.
“Ye hi keci, soṇa, samaṇā vā brāhmaṇā vā rūpaṁ nappajānanti, rūpasamudayaṁ nappajānanti, rūpanirodhaṁ nappajānanti, rūpanirodhagāminiṁ paṭipadaṁ nappajānanti; vedanaṁ nappajānanti, vedanāsamudayaṁ nappajānanti, vedanānirodhaṁ nappajānanti, vedanānirodhagāminiṁ paṭipadaṁ nappajānanti; saññaṁ nappajānanti …pe… saṅkhāre nappajānanti, saṅkhārasamudayaṁ nappajānanti, saṅkhāranirodhaṁ nappajānanti, saṅkhāranirodhagāminiṁ paṭipadaṁ nappajānanti; viññāṇaṁ nappajānanti, viññāṇasamudayaṁ nappajānanti, viññāṇanirodhaṁ nappajānanti, viññāṇanirodhagāminiṁ paṭipadaṁ nappajānanti. Na me te, soṇa, samaṇā vā brāhmaṇā vā samaṇesu vā samaṇasammatā brāhmaṇesu vā brāhmaṇasammatā, na ca pana te āyasmanto sāmaññatthaṁ vā brahmaññatthaṁ vā diṭṭheva dhamme sayaṁ abhiññā sacchikatvā upasampajja viharanti.
There are ascetics and brahmins who do understand form, its origin, its cessation, and the practice that leads to its cessation. They do understand feeling … perception … choices … consciousness, its origin, its cessation, and the practice that leads to its cessation. I deem them as true ascetics and brahmins. Those venerables realize the goal of life as an ascetic or brahmin, and live having realized it with their own insight.”
Ye ca kho keci, soṇa, samaṇā vā brāhmaṇā vā rūpaṁ pajānanti, rūpasamudayaṁ pajānanti, rūpanirodhaṁ pajānanti, rūpanirodhagāminiṁ paṭipadaṁ pajānanti; vedanaṁ pajānanti …pe… saññaṁ pajānanti … saṅkhāre pajānanti … viññāṇaṁ pajānanti, viññāṇasamudayaṁ pajānanti, viññāṇanirodhaṁ pajānanti, viññāṇanirodhagāminiṁ paṭipadaṁ pajānanti. Te ca kho me, soṇa, samaṇā vā brāhmaṇā vā samaṇesu ceva samaṇasammatā brāhmaṇesu ca brāhmaṇasammatā, te ca panāyasmanto sāmaññatthañca brahmaññatthañca diṭṭheva dhamme sayaṁ abhiññā sacchikatvā upasampajja viharantī”ti.
Aṭṭhamaṁ.
SN 22.51 · The End of Relishing
SN 22.51 · Nandikkhayasutta
At Sāvatthī.
Sāvatthinidānaṁ.
“Mendicants, form really is impermanent. A mendicant sees that it is impermanent: that’s their right view. Seeing rightly, they grow disillusioned. When relishing ends, greed ends. When greed ends, relishing ends. When relishing and greed end, the mind is freed, and is said to be well freed.
“Aniccaññeva, bhikkhave, bhikkhu rūpaṁ aniccanti passati. Sāssa hoti sammādiṭṭhi. Sammā passaṁ nibbindati. Nandikkhayā rāgakkhayo, rāgakkhayā nandikkhayo. Nandirāgakkhayā cittaṁ vimuttaṁ suvimuttanti vuccati.
Feeling …
Aniccaññeva, bhikkhave, bhikkhu vedanaṁ aniccanti passati. Sāssa hoti sammādiṭṭhi. Sammā passaṁ nibbindati. Nandikkhayā rāgakkhayo, rāgakkhayā nandikkhayo. Nandirāgakkhayā cittaṁ vimuttaṁ suvimuttanti vuccati.
Perception …
Aniccaññeva, bhikkhave, bhikkhu saññaṁ aniccanti passati …pe…
Choices …
anicceyeva bhikkhave, bhikkhu saṅkhāre aniccāti passati. Sāssa hoti sammādiṭṭhi. Sammā passaṁ nibbindati. Nandikkhayā rāgakkhayo, rāgakkhayā nandikkhayo. Nandirāgakkhayā cittaṁ vimuttaṁ suvimuttanti vuccati.
Consciousness really is impermanent. A mendicant sees that it is impermanent: that’s their right view. Seeing rightly, they grow disillusioned. When relishing ends, greed ends. When greed ends, relishing ends. When relishing and greed end, the mind is freed, and is said to be well freed.”
Aniccaññeva, bhikkhave, bhikkhu viññāṇaṁ aniccanti passati. Sāssa hoti sammādiṭṭhi. Sammā passaṁ nibbindati. Nandikkhayā rāgakkhayo, rāgakkhayā nandikkhayo. Nandirāgakkhayā cittaṁ vimuttaṁ suvimuttanti vuccatī”ti.
Navamaṁ.