7. Discourse on Delighting in Bodily Form (SA7)

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:

“One who craves for and delights in bodily form, craves for and delights in dukkha. One who craves for and delights in dukkha will not attain liberation from dukkha. In the same way one who craves for and delights in feeling … perception … formations … consciousness, craves for and delights in dukkha. One who craves for and delights in dukkha will not attain liberation from dukkha.

“Monks, one who does not crave for or delight in bodily form, does not delight in dukkha. One who does not delight in dukkha will attain liberation from dukkha. In the same way one who does not crave for or delight in feeling … perception … formations … consciousness, does not delight in dukkha. One who does not delight in dukkha will attain liberation from dukkha.”

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.