The Buddha teaches on transience, presenting a sixfold teaching for disciples on the path.

AN 6.102 Transience

“Cha, bhikkhave, ānisaṁse sampassamānena alameva bhikkhunā sabbasaṅkhāresu anodhiṁ karitvā aniccasaññaṁ upaṭṭhāpetuṁ. Katame cha? ‘Sabbasaṅkhārā ca me anavatthitā khāyissanti, sabbaloke ca me mano nābhiramissati, sabbalokā ca me mano vuṭṭhahissati, nibbānapoṇañca me mānasaṁ bhavissati, saṁyojanā ca me pahānaṁ gacchissanti, paramena ca sāmaññena samannāgato bhavissāmī’ti. Ime kho, bhikkhave, cha ānisaṁse sampassamānena alameva bhikkhunā sabbasaṅkhāresu anodhiṁ karitvā aniccasaññaṁ upaṭṭhāpetun”ti.

Sattamaṁ.

Reference Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato (CC0).

“Cha, bhikkhave, ānisaṁse sampassamānena alameva bhikkhunā sabbasaṅkhāresu anodhiṁ karitvā aniccasaññaṁ upaṭṭhāpetuṁ.

“Mendicants, seeing six benefits is quite enough to establish the perception of impermanence in all conditions without qualification.

Katame cha?

What six?

‘Sabbasaṅkhārā ca me anavatthitā khāyissanti, sabbaloke ca me mano nābhiramissati, sabbalokā ca me mano vuṭṭhahissati, nibbānapoṇañca me mānasaṁ bhavissati, saṁyojanā ca me pahānaṁ gacchissanti, paramena ca sāmaññena samannāgato bhavissāmī’ti.

‘All conditions will appear to me as transient.’ ‘My mind will not delight anywhere in the world.’ ‘My mind will rise above the whole world.’ ‘My heart will incline to extinguishment.’ ‘My fetters will be given up.’ ‘I will achieve the ultimate goal of the ascetic life.’

Ime kho, bhikkhave, cha ānisaṁse sampassamānena alameva bhikkhunā sabbasaṅkhāresu anodhiṁ karitvā aniccasaññaṁ upaṭṭhāpetun”ti.

Seeing these six benefits is quite enough to establish the perception of impermanence in all conditions without qualification.”

Sattamaṁ.

Qualities:

Delight

Delight

A mental quality of relishing and taking pleasure in what is experienced—especially in sensuality or the prospect of continued becoming. When it fastens onto gratification, it nourishes craving and keeps the mind circling around what it wants to experience again.

Also known as: relishing, enjoyment, taking pleasure
Pāli: nandi, ārāmatā
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Recognition of impermanence

Recognition of impermanence

Perceiving all conditioned things as unstable and transient. This recognition weakens attachment by revealing the continual arising and ceasing of phenomena, turning the mind toward wisdom and release.

Also known as: perception of impermanence, perception of instability, realization of transience
Pāli: aniccasaññā
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Last updated on July 27, 2026