The Buddha describes how dependent on the diversity of elements, there arises a diversity of contacts, and dependent on the diversity of contacts, there arises a diversity of felt experiences.

SN 14.4  Vedanānānatta sutta - Diversity Of Felt Experiences

Sāvatthiyaṁ viharati.

At Sāvatthi.

“Dhātunānattaṁ, bhikkhave, paṭicca uppajjati phassanānattaṁ, phassanānattaṁ paṭicca uppajjati vedanānānattaṁ.

“Bhikkhus, |dependent on::contingent on, supported by, grounded on [paṭicca]| the |diversity of elements::variety of foundational properties making up experience—earth, water, fire, air, space, and consciousness; basis for bodily and mental phenomena; multiplicity of conditioned building blocks [dhātunānatta]|, there arises a diversity of contacts; dependent on the diversity of contacts, there arises a |diversity of felt experiences::the field of pleasant, neutral, or painful sensations, feelings [vedanānānatta]|.

Katamañca, bhikkhave, dhātunānattaṁ? Cakkhudhātu sotadhātu ghānadhātu jivhādhātu kāyadhātu manodhātu idaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, dhātunānattaṁ.

And what is the diversity of elements? The |eye element::faculty of vision [cakkhudhātu]|, the |ear element::hearing faculty [sotadhātu]|, the |nose element::faculty of perceiving odors [ghānadhātu]|, the |tongue element::faculty of perceiving taste [jivhādhātu]|, the |body element::faculty of perceiving tactile sensations [kāyadhātu]|, and the |mind element::mentality [manodhātu]|. This is called the diversity of elements.

Kathañca, bhikkhave, dhātunānattaṁ paṭicca uppajjati phassanānattaṁ, phassanānattaṁ paṭicca uppajjati vedanānānattaṁ?

And how is it|, bhikkhus,::::| that dependent on the diversity of elements, there arises a diversity of contacts, that dependent on the diversity of contacts, there arises a diversity of felt experiences?

Cakkhudhātuṁ, bhikkhave, paṭicca uppajjati cakkhusamphasso, cakkhusamphassaṁ paṭicca uppajjati cakkhusamphassajā vedanā.

Dependent on the eye element, there arises a |contact with the eye::visual impression, visual experience [cakkhusamphassa]|; dependent on the contact with the eye, there arises a felt experience |produced from vision::lit. born from eye touch [cakkhusamphassaja]|.

Sotadhātuṁ paṭicca uppajjati sotasamphasso, sotasamphassaṁ paṭicca uppajjati sotasamphassajā vedanā.

Dependent on the sound element, there arises a |contact with the ear::auditory impression, sonic experience [sotasamphassa]|; dependent on the contact with the ear, there arises a felt experience |produced from hearing::lit. born from ear touch [sotasamphassaja]|.

Ghānadhātuṁ paṭicca uppajjati ghānasamphasso, ghānasamphassaṁ paṭicca uppajjati ghānasamphassajā vedanā.

Dependent on the nose element, there arises a |contact with the nose::olfactory impression, nasal experience [ghanasamphassa]|; dependent on the contact with the nose, there arises a felt experience |produced from smell::lit. born from nose touch [ghānasamphassaja]|.

Jivhādhātuṁ paṭicca uppajjati jivhāsamphasso, jivhāsamphassaṁ paṭicca uppajjati jivhāsamphassajā vedanā.

Dependent on the tongue element, there arises a |contact with the tongue::gustatory impression, taste experience [jivhāsamphassa]|; dependent on the contact with the tongue, there arises a felt experience |produced from taste::lit. born from tongue touch [jivhāsamphassaja]|.

Kāyadhātuṁ paṭicca uppajjati kāyasamphasso, kāyasamphassaṁ paṭicca uppajjati kāyasamphassajā vedanā.

Dependent on the body element, there arises a |physical contact::tactile impression, somatic experience [kāyasamphassa]|; dependent on the physical contact, there arises a felt experience |produced from somatic impression::lit. born from body touch [kāyasamphassaja]|.

Manodhātuṁ paṭicca uppajjati manosamphasso, manosamphassaṁ paṭicca uppajjati manosamphassajā vedanā.

Dependent on the mind element, there arises a |contact with the mind::mental impression, cognitive experience [manasamphassa]|; dependent on the contact with the mind, there arises a felt experience |produced from mental impression::lit. born from mind touch [manosamphassaja]|.

Evaṁ kho, bhikkhave, dhātunānattaṁ paṭicca uppajjati phassanānattaṁ, phassanānattaṁ paṭicca uppajjati vedanānānattan”ti.

Thus|, bhikkhus,::::,| dependent on the diversity of elements, there arises a diversity of contacts; dependent on the diversity of contacts, there arises a diversity of felt experiences.”

Topics & Qualities:

Contact

Contact

The meeting of sense faculty, sense object, and the corresponding consciousness—the convergence of three. Contact is where experience actually touches: from it arise feeling, intention, and perception, and it is the pivotal link between the sense bases and the rest of mental life. It is one of the factors of name (mentality) and a central node in dependent origination.

Also known as: sense impingement, sense impression
Pāli: phassa
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Felt Experience

Felt Experience

Pleasant, neutral, or painful sensation—the experience felt on contact. Sometimes translated as “feeling.” Distinct from an emotional state or reaction, it refers to the affective tone of experience, the bare sensation of pleasure, pain, or neutrality before mental responses arise. It is the second of the five aggregates.

Also known as: feeling
Pāli: vedanā
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Recognition of diversity

Recognition of diversity

The perception of multiplicity and variety in experience—seeing distinct forms, beings, and phenomena as separate entities. While natural to ordinary cognition, when fueled by craving and conceit it proliferates into endless distinctions and preferences, binding the mind to the world of differentiation.

Also known as: concept of variety, perception of diversity, perception of multiplicity
Pāli: nānattasaññā
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Last updated on June 10, 2026