The Word of the Buddha The Six Sense Bases
The Word of the BuddhaIV. The Path that Leads to the Extinction of Suffering
4.3. Observing the Mental Qualities with regard to the Sense Bases
Again, a bhikkhu dwells observing the mental qualities in and of themselves with regard to the six internal and external sense bases. And how does a bhikkhu dwell observing the mental qualities in and of themselves in the six internal and external sense bases?
Here, a bhikkhu discerns the eye and forms, and the fetter that arises dependent on both; he also discerns how there comes to be the arising of the unarisen fetter, and how there comes to be the abandoning of the arisen fetter, and how there comes to be the future non-arising of the abandoned fetter.
He discerns the ear and sounds, and the fetter that arises dependent on both; he also discerns how there comes to be the arising of the unarisen fetter, and how there comes to be the abandoning of the arisen fetter, and how there comes to be the future non-arising of the abandoned fetter.
He discerns the nose and odors, and the fetter that arises dependent on both; he also discerns how there comes to be the arising of the unarisen fetter, and how there comes to be the abandoning of the arisen fetter, and how there comes to be the future non-arising of the abandoned fetter.
He discerns the tongue and tastes, and the fetter that arises dependent on both; he also discerns how there comes to be the arising of the unarisen fetter, and how there comes to be the abandoning of the arisen fetter, and how there comes to be the future non-arising of the abandoned fetter.
He discerns the body and tangible objects, and the fetter that arises dependent on both; he also discerns how there comes to be the arising of the unarisen fetter, and how there comes to be the abandoning of the arisen fetter, and how there comes to be the future non-arising of the abandoned fetter.
He discerns the mind and mental objects, and the fetter that arises dependent on both; he also discerns how there comes to be the arising of the unarisen fetter, and how there comes to be the abandoning of the arisen fetter, and how there comes to be the future non-arising of the abandoned fetter.
Thus, he dwells observing the mental qualities in and of themselves internally, or he dwells observing the mental qualities in and of themselves externally, or he dwells observing the mental qualities in and of themselves both internally and externally. He dwells observing the arising nature in the mental qualities, or he dwells observing the vanishing nature in the mental qualities, or he dwells observing both the arising and vanishing nature in the mental qualities. Or else, mindfulness that ‘there are mental qualities’ is simply established in him to the extent necessary for knowledge and remembrance. He dwells independently and does not cling to anything in the world.
In this way too, a bhikkhu dwells observing the mental qualities in and of themselves with regard to the six sense bases.
Last updated on October 20, 2026