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

AN 6.98 Impermanence

“‘So vata, bhikkhave, bhikkhu kañci saṅkhāraṁ niccato samanupassanto anulomikāya khantiyā samannāgato bhavissatī’ti netaṁ ṭhānaṁ vijjati. ‘Anulomikāya khantiyā asamannāgato sammattaniyāmaṁ okkamissatī’ti netaṁ ṭhānaṁ vijjati. ‘Sammattaniyāmaṁ anokkamamāno sotāpattiphalaṁ sakadāgāmiphalaṁ anāgāmiphalaṁ arahattaṁ sacchikarissatī’ti netaṁ ṭhānaṁ vijjati.

‘So vata, bhikkhave, bhikkhu sabbasaṅkhāre aniccato samanupassanto anulomikāya khantiyā samannāgato bhavissatī’ti ṭhānametaṁ vijjati. ‘Anulomikāya khantiyā samannāgato sammattaniyāmaṁ okkamissatī’ti ṭhānametaṁ vijjati. ‘Sammattaniyāmaṁ okkamamāno sotāpattiphalaṁ sakadāgāmiphalaṁ anāgāmiphalaṁ arahattaṁ sacchikarissatī’ti ṭhānametaṁ vijjatī”ti.

Tatiyaṁ.

Reference Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato (CC0).

“‘So vata, bhikkhave, bhikkhu kañci saṅkhāraṁ niccato samanupassanto anulomikāya khantiyā samannāgato bhavissatī’ti netaṁ ṭhānaṁ vijjati.

“Mendicants, it is quite impossible for a mendicant who regards any condition as permanent to accept views that conform with the teaching.

‘Anulomikāya khantiyā asamannāgato sammattaniyāmaṁ okkamissatī’ti netaṁ ṭhānaṁ vijjati.

Without accepting views that conform with the teaching, it’s impossible to step into the sure path.

‘Sammattaniyāmaṁ anokkamamāno sotāpattiphalaṁ sakadāgāmiphalaṁ anāgāmiphalaṁ arahattaṁ sacchikarissatī’ti netaṁ ṭhānaṁ vijjati.

Without stepping into the sure path, it’s impossible to realize the fruit of stream-entry, once-return, non-return, or perfection.

‘So vata, bhikkhave, bhikkhu sabbasaṅkhāre aniccato samanupassanto anulomikāya khantiyā samannāgato bhavissatī’ti ṭhānametaṁ vijjati.

It’s quite possible for a mendicant who regards all conditions as impermanent to accept views that conform with the teaching.

‘Anulomikāya khantiyā samannāgato sammattaniyāmaṁ okkamissatī’ti ṭhānametaṁ vijjati.

Having accepted views that conform with the teaching, it’s possible to step into the sure path.

‘Sammattaniyāmaṁ okkamamāno sotāpattiphalaṁ sakadāgāmiphalaṁ anāgāmiphalaṁ arahattaṁ sacchikarissatī’ti ṭhānametaṁ vijjatī”ti.

Having stepped into the sure path, it’s possible to realize the fruit of stream-entry, once-return, non-return, or perfection.”

Tatiyaṁ.

Qualities:

Wisdom

Wisdom

Lived understanding and sound judgment that steers the mind away from suffering, distinct from mere accumulation of facts.

Also known as: (of a person) wise, astute, intelligent, learned, skilled, firm, stable, steadfast, an experiential understanding of the four noble truths
Pāli: paññā, medhā, dhīra, paṇḍita, asammūḷha
View all discourses →
Wrong view

Wrong view

A distorted understanding that sees permanence in the impermanent, satisfaction in the unsatisfactory, or self in the not-self. Wrong view guides action by delusion, obscuring cause and effect, and closes the door to wisdom and release.

Also known as: distorted or inverted perception, untrue view, false belief
Pāli: micchādiṭṭhi
View all discourses →

Last updated on July 27, 2026