The Buddha teaches a repeated formula on links of dependent origination—urging mendicants who have not truly known and seen each link to train, meditate, and strive until direct knowledge arises—in this grouped discourse.

SN 12.83-92 The Teacher (2nd)

“Jātiṁ, bhikkhave, ajānatā apassatā yathābhūtaṁ …pe….

“Bhavaṁ, bhikkhave, ajānatā apassatā yathābhūtaṁ …pe….

“Upādānaṁ, bhikkhave, ajānatā apassatā yathābhūtaṁ …pe….

“Taṇhaṁ, bhikkhave, ajānatā apassatā yathābhūtaṁ …pe….

“Vedanaṁ, bhikkhave, ajānatā apassatā yathābhūtaṁ …pe….

“Phassaṁ, bhikkhave, ajānatā apassatā yathābhūtaṁ …pe….

“Saḷāyatanaṁ, bhikkhave, ajānatā apassatā yathābhūtaṁ …pe….

“Nāmarūpaṁ, bhikkhave, ajānatā apassatā yathābhūtaṁ …pe….

“Viññāṇaṁ, bhikkhave, ajānatā apassatā yathābhūtaṁ …pe….

“Saṅkhāre, bhikkhave, ajānatā apassatā yathābhūtaṁ saṅkhāresu yathābhūtaṁ ñāṇāya satthā pariyesitabbo; saṅkhārasamudayaṁ ajānatā apassatā yathābhūtaṁ saṅkhārasamudaye yathābhūtaṁ ñāṇāya satthā pariyesitabbo; saṅkhāranirodhaṁ ajānatā apassatā yathābhūtaṁ saṅkhāranirodhe yathābhūtaṁ ñāṇāya satthā pariyesitabbo; saṅkhāranirodhagāminiṁ paṭipadaṁ ajānatā apassatā yathābhūtaṁ saṅkhāranirodhagāminiyā paṭipadāya yathābhūtaṁ ñāṇāya satthā pariyesitabbo”ti.

Ekādasamaṁ.

(Sabbesaṁ catusaccikaṁ kātabbaṁ.)

Reference Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato (CC0).

“Jātiṁ, bhikkhave, ajānatā apassatā yathābhūtaṁ …pe….

“Mendicants, one who does not truly know or see rebirth …”

“Bhavaṁ, bhikkhave, ajānatā apassatā yathābhūtaṁ …pe….

“… continued existence …”

“Upādānaṁ, bhikkhave, ajānatā apassatā yathābhūtaṁ …pe….

“… grasping …”

“Taṇhaṁ, bhikkhave, ajānatā apassatā yathābhūtaṁ …pe….

“… craving …”

“Vedanaṁ, bhikkhave, ajānatā apassatā yathābhūtaṁ …pe….

“… feeling …”

“Phassaṁ, bhikkhave, ajānatā apassatā yathābhūtaṁ …pe….

“… contact …”

“Saḷāyatanaṁ, bhikkhave, ajānatā apassatā yathābhūtaṁ …pe….

“… the six sense fields …”

“Nāmarūpaṁ, bhikkhave, ajānatā apassatā yathābhūtaṁ …pe….

“… name and form …”

“Viññāṇaṁ, bhikkhave, ajānatā apassatā yathābhūtaṁ …pe….

“… consciousness …”

“Saṅkhāre, bhikkhave, ajānatā apassatā yathābhūtaṁ saṅkhāresu yathābhūtaṁ ñāṇāya satthā pariyesitabbo;

“… choices …”

saṅkhārasamudayaṁ ajānatā apassatā yathābhūtaṁ saṅkhārasamudaye yathābhūtaṁ ñāṇāya satthā pariyesitabbo;

saṅkhāranirodhaṁ ajānatā apassatā yathābhūtaṁ saṅkhāranirodhe yathābhūtaṁ ñāṇāya satthā pariyesitabbo;

saṅkhāranirodhagāminiṁ paṭipadaṁ ajānatā apassatā yathābhūtaṁ saṅkhāranirodhagāminiyā paṭipadāya yathābhūtaṁ ñāṇāya satthā pariyesitabbo”ti.

Ekādasamaṁ.

(Sabbesaṁ catusaccikaṁ kātabbaṁ.)

(All should be treated according to the four truths.)

Qualities:

Attachment

Attachment

A mental fastening onto people, things, views, or states as “me” or “mine,” unwilling to release them. This clinging can give a sense of security and sweetness.

Also known as: acquisition, bond, clinging, grasping, holding on, possession, entanglement, bound, connected, taking as mine
Pāli: upadhi, upādāna, sakiñcana, mamatta
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Craving

Craving

A driving ‘thirst’ that reaches out toward experiences, identities, or outcomes as the place to find satisfaction—“if only I had that.” It spins stories of lack, binds the mind to becoming, and invariably leads to suffering.

Also known as: wanting, yearning, longing, lit. thirst
Pāli: taṇha, abhijjhā
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Last updated on July 27, 2026