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SN 35.140–142 Ajjhattaaniccahetusutta: Interior and Cause Are Impermanent, etc.

SN 35.140: Interior and Cause Are Impermanent

“Mendicants, the eye is impermanent. The cause and reason that gives rise to the eye is also impermanent. Since the eye is produced by what is impermanent, how could it be permanent?

The ear … nose … tongue … body … mind is impermanent. The cause and reason that gives rise to the mind is also impermanent. Since the mind is produced by what is impermanent, how could it be permanent?

Seeing this, a learned noble disciple grows disillusioned with the eye, ear, nose, tongue, body, and mind. Being disillusioned, desire fades away. When desire fades away they’re freed. When they’re freed, they know they’re freed.

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.’”

SN 35.141: Interior and Cause Are Suffering

“Mendicants, the eye is suffering. The cause and reason that gives rise to the eye is also suffering. Since the eye is produced by what is suffering, how could it be happiness?

The ear … nose … tongue … body … mind is suffering. The cause and reason that gives rise to the mind is also suffering. Since the mind is produced by what is suffering, how could it be happiness?

Seeing this … They understand: ‘… there is nothing further for this place.’”

SN 35.142: Interior and Cause Are Not-Self

“Mendicants, the eye is not-self. The cause and reason that gives rise to the eye is also not-self. Since the eye is produced by what is not-self, how could it be self?

The ear … nose … tongue … body … mind is not-self. The cause and reason that gives rise to the mind is also not-self. Since the mind is produced by what is not-self, how could it be self?

Seeing this … They understand: ‘… there is nothing further for this place.’”


Read this translation of Saṁyutta Nikāya 35.140 Ajjhattaaniccahetusutta: Interior and Cause Are Impermanent by Bhikkhu Sujato on SuttaCentral.net. Or read a different translation on SuttaCentral.net. Or listen on SC-Voice.net. Or explore the Pali on DigitalPaliReader.online.

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