12. Second Discourse on Causes and Conditions (SA12)

Thus have I heard. At one time the Buddha was staying at Sāvatthī in Jeta’s Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s Park. At that time the Blessed One said to the monks:

“Bodily form is impermanent. The causes and conditions for the arising of any bodily form are also impermanent. Any bodily form that has arisen from impermanent causes and impermanent conditions, how could it be permanent?

“Feeling … perception … formations … consciousness is impermanent. The causes and conditions for the arising of any consciousness are also impermanent. Any consciousness that has arisen from impermanent causes and impermanent conditions, how could it be permanent?

“In the same way, monks, bodily form is impermanent, feeling … perception … formations … consciousness is impermanent, what is impermanent is dukkha, what is dukkha is not self, what is not self is not mine. One who contemplates like this is reckoned to be contemplating truly and rightly.

“A noble disciple who contemplates like this becomes liberated from bodily form, liberated from feeling … perception … formations … consciousness. I say such a one is liberated from birth, old age, disease, death, worry, sorrow, pain and vexation.”

Then the monks, hearing what the Buddha had said, were delighted and received it respectfully.

Translated by Bhikkhu Anālayo. Originally published in ‘On the Five Aggregates (1)—A Translation of Saṁyukta-āgama Discourses 1 to 32’. Dharma Drum Journal of Buddhist Studies, vol. 11, pp. 1–61 (2012). New Taipei City: Dharma Drum Buddhist College.

Prepared for SuttaCentral by Bhikkhu Sujato.