On being asked about his teaching and what he proclaims, the Buddha describes non-conflict as the goal of his teaching and proclaims a state where perceptions do not lead to preoccupation. Venerable Mahākaccāna elaborates on this by thoroughly examining the dependent arising of phenomena, beginning with the six sense bases—eye, ear, nose, tongue, body, and mind.

The Buddha delivers a brief, challenging summary statement on maintaining a consciousness that is unscattered externally, not fixated internally, and unperturbed by not grasping. When he departs unexpectedly, venerable Mahākaccāna provides a brilliant clause-by-clause exposition on these states.

Seeing venerable Mahākaccāna sitting with mindfulness immersed in the body, the Blessed One expresses an inspired verse about mindfulness leading to the cutting of attachment.