At Sāvatthi.
“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 mistaken for self [dhātunānatta]|, there arises a diversity of contacts,
dependent on the diversity of contacts, there arises a |diversity of felt experiences::pleasant, neutral or painful sensations, feelings, second of the five aggregates [vedanānānatta]|.
Diversity of contacts does not arise dependent on the diversity of felt experiences,
and diversity of elements does not arise dependent on the diversity of contacts.
And what is the diversity of elements? The |forms::visible objects such as beautiful sights, faces, expressions, art, ornaments, possessions, status symbols, admired appearances, enticing scenery, or objects of desire and attachment [rūpadhātu]|, |sounds::auditory objects such as various sounds, noises, melodic compositions, verbal expression, whether of praise, blame, honor, respect, disrespect [saddadhātu]|, |odors::smells, scents, fragrances, aromas, stench, perfumes, or natural fragrances such as of flowers, food, or earth [gandhadhātu]|, |tastes::flavors, tastes, sweetness, bitterness, sourness, saltiness, spiciness, richness, or subtle tastes such as umami or astringency [rasadhātu]|, |tangible objects::physical surfaces, textures, fabrics, water, air, heat, cold, bodily pressure, or contact with living beings [phoṭṭhabbadhātu]|, and |mental objects::thoughts, ideas, memories, emotions, intentions, perceptions, concepts, beliefs, mental images, or fabrications arising from past experiences and future projections [dhammadhātu]|. This is called the diversity of elements.
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,
that diversity of contacts does not arise dependent on the diversity of felt experiences,
that diversity of elements does not arise dependent on the diversity of contacts?
1. Forms
Dependent on the forms, there arises a |contact with the eye::visual impression, visual experience [cakkhusamphassa]|,
dependent on the contact with the eye, there arises a |felt experience connected with form::pleasant, neutral or painful sensation, feeling, produced by a visual impression [rūpavedanā]|.
Contact with the eye does not arise dependent on a felt experience connected with form,
and forms do not arise dependent on a contact with the eye.
2. Sounds
Dependent on sounds, there arises a |contact with the ear::auditory impression, sonic experience [sotasamphassa]|,
dependent on the contact with the ear, there arises a |felt experience connected with sound::pleasant, neutral or painful sensation, feeling, produced by an auditory impression [saddavedanā]|.
Contact with the ear does not arise dependent on a felt experience connected with sound,
and sounds do not arise dependent on a contact with the ear.
3. Smells
Dependent on smells, there arises a |contact with the nose::olfactory impression, nasal experience [ghanasamphassa]|,
dependent on the contact with the nose, there arises a |felt experience connected with smell::pleasant, neutral or painful sensation, feeling, produced by an olfactory impression [gandhavedanā]|.
Contact with the nose does not arise dependent on a felt experience connected with smell,
and smells do not arise dependent on a contact with the nose.
4. Tastes
Dependent on tastes, there arises a |contact with the tongue::gustatory impression, taste experience [jivhāsamphassa]|,
dependent on the contact with the tongue, there arises a |felt experience connected with taste::pleasant, neutral or painful sensation, feeling, produced by a gustatory impression [rasavedanā]|.
Contact with the tongue does not arise dependent on a felt experience connected with taste,
and tastes do not arise dependent on a contact with the tongue.
5. Tangible objects
Dependent on tangible objects, there arises a |physical contact::tactile impression, somatic experience [kāyasamphassa]|,
dependent on the physical contact, there arises a |felt experience connected with touch::pleasant, neutral or painful sensation, feeling, produced by a tactile impression [phoṭṭhabbavedanā]|.
Physical contact does not arise dependent on a felt experience connected with touch,
and tangible objects do not arise dependent on a physical contact.
6. Mental objects
Dependent on mental objects, there arises a |contact with the mind::mental impression, cognitive experience [manasamphassa]|,
dependent on the contact with the mind, there arises a |felt experience connected with mental objects::pleasant, neutral or painful sensation, feeling, produced by a mental impression [dhammavedanā]|.
Contact with the mind does not arise dependent on a felt experience connected with mental objects,
and mental objects do not arise dependent on a contact with the mind.
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. Diversity of contacts does not arise dependent on the diversity of felt experiences, and diversity of elements does not arise dependent on the diversity of contacts.”