The Word of the Buddha Dependent Origination of All Phenomena
The Word of the BuddhaII. The Noble Truth of the Origin of Suffering
The Cycle of Craving and Suffering
On seeing a form with the eye, they are infatuated with it if it is agreeable, and are repelled by it if it is disagreeable. They abide with mindfulness of the body unestablished and with a constricted mind. And they do not understand as it truly is, that liberation of mind and liberation by wisdom wherein, those arisen harmful, unwholesome mental qualities cease without remainder.
Engaged thus in favoring and opposing, whatever feeling they feel—whether pleasant, painful, or neither-painful-nor-pleasant—they delight in that feeling, welcome it, and remain holding tightly to it. As they delight in, welcome, and remain holding tightly to that feeling, pleasure arises in them. Now taking pleasure in feelings is clinging. Dependent on that clinging, [a state of] existence arises; dependent on that existence, birth arises; dependent on that birth, aging and death, sorrow, lamentation, pain, displeasure, and despair arise. Thus is the arising of this entire heap of suffering.
On hearing a sound with the ear, they are infatuated with it if it is agreeable, and are repelled by it if it is disagreeable. They abide with mindfulness of the body unestablished and with a constricted mind. And they do not understand as it truly is, that liberation of mind and liberation by wisdom wherein, those arisen harmful, unwholesome mental qualities cease without remainder. Engaged thus in favoring and opposing, whatever feeling they feel—whether pleasant, painful, or neither-painful-nor-pleasant—they delight in that feeling, welcome it, and remain holding tightly to it. As they delight in, welcome, and remain holding tightly to that feeling, pleasure arises in them. Now taking pleasure in feelings is clinging. Dependent on that clinging, [a state of] existence arises; dependent on that existence, birth arises; dependent on that birth, aging and death, sorrow, lamentation, pain, displeasure, and despair arise. Thus is the arising of this entire heap of suffering.
On smelling an odor with the nose, they are infatuated with it if it is agreeable, and are repelled by it if it is disagreeable. They abide with mindfulness of the body unestablished and with a constricted mind. And they do not understand as it truly is, that liberation of mind and liberation by wisdom wherein, those arisen harmful, unwholesome mental qualities cease without remainder. Engaged thus in favoring and opposing, whatever feeling they feel—whether pleasant, painful, or neither-painful-nor-pleasant—they delight in that feeling, welcome it, and remain holding tightly to it. As they delight in, welcome, and remain holding tightly to that feeling, pleasure arises in them. Now taking pleasure in feelings is clinging. Dependent on that clinging, [a state of] existence arises; dependent on that existence, birth arises; dependent on that birth, aging and death, sorrow, lamentation, pain, displeasure, and despair arise. Thus is the arising of this entire heap of suffering.
On tasting a flavor with the tongue, they are infatuated with it if it is agreeable, and are repelled by it if it is disagreeable. They abide with mindfulness of the body unestablished and with a constricted mind. And they do not understand as it truly is, that liberation of mind and liberation by wisdom wherein, those arisen harmful, unwholesome mental qualities cease without remainder. Engaged thus in favoring and opposing, whatever feeling they feel—whether pleasant, painful, or neither-painful-nor-pleasant—they delight in that feeling, welcome it, and remain holding tightly to it. As they delight in, welcome, and remain holding tightly to that feeling, pleasure arises in them. Now taking pleasure in feelings is clinging. Dependent on that clinging, [a state of] existence arises; dependent on that existence, birth arises; dependent on that birth, aging and death, sorrow, lamentation, pain, displeasure, and despair arise. Thus is the arising of this entire heap of suffering.
On touching a tactile object with the body, they are infatuated with it if it is agreeable, and are repelled by it if it is disagreeable. They abide with mindfulness of the body unestablished and with a constricted mind. And they do not understand as it truly is, that liberation of mind and liberation by wisdom wherein, those arisen harmful, unwholesome mental qualities cease without remainder. Engaged thus in favoring and opposing, whatever feeling they feel—whether pleasant, painful, or neither-painful-nor-pleasant—they delight in that feeling, welcome it, and remain holding tightly to it. As they delight in, welcome, and remain holding tightly to that feeling, pleasure arises in them. Now taking pleasure in feelings is clinging. Dependent on that clinging, [a state of] existence arises; dependent on that existence, birth arises; dependent on that birth, aging and death, sorrow, lamentation, pain, displeasure, and despair arise. Thus is the arising of this entire heap of suffering.
On cognizing a mental object with the mind, they are infatuated with it if it is agreeable, and are repelled by it if it is disagreeable. They abide with mindfulness of the body unestablished and with a constricted mind. And they do not understand as it truly is, that liberation of mind and liberation by wisdom wherein, those arisen harmful, unwholesome mental qualities cease without remainder.
Engaged thus in favoring and opposing, whatever feeling they feel—whether pleasant, painful, or neither-painful-nor-pleasant—they delight in that feeling, welcome it, and remain holding tightly to it. As they delight in, welcome, and remain holding tightly to that feeling, pleasure arises in them. Now taking pleasure in feelings is clinging. Dependent on that clinging, [a state of] existence arises; dependent on that existence, birth arises; dependent on that birth, aging and death, sorrow, lamentation, pain, displeasure, and despair arise. Thus is the arising of this entire heap of suffering.
Last updated on October 20, 2026