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 perceptions::variety of conceptions, manifold notions [saññānānatta]|,
dependent on the diversity of perceptions, there arises a |diversity of intentions::variation in volitional aims and mental resolve; diversity in motivational tendencies, goals, or directed thoughts; multiplicity of intention-patterns shaping behavior [saṅkappanānatta]|,
dependent on the diversity of intentions, there arises a |diversity of desires::motivational inclinations, goal-directed drives, wishful tendencies, aspiring interests, aims rooted in either craving or resolve [chandanānatta]|,
dependent on the diversity of desires, there arises a |diversity of fevers::emotional heat of passion and craving; burning impulses, obsessive attachments, infatuations, and restless desire-states [pariḷāhanānatta]|,
dependent on the diversity of fevers, there arises a |diversity of quests::variety in pursuits and searches; multiplicity of aims in seeking satisfaction or meaning—ranging from sensual gratification to liberation [pariyesanānānatta]|.
And what is the diversity of elements? The |form element::the elemental basis for visual objects—such as shapes, colors, light, bodily forms, gestures, ornaments, scenery, or textures visible through the eye—anything whose appearance enables seeing and may condition perception, attraction, or craving [rūpadhātu]|, |sound element::the elemental basis for auditory experience—such as tones, voices, musical patterns, shouts, praises, speech, or ambient noise—anything whose vibratory quality enables hearing and can become a basis for perception, emotional response, or craving [saddadhātu]|, |odor element::the elemental basis for smells—such as fragrances, stench, food aromas, floral scents, perfumes, or earthy odors—anything whose scent-bearing nature forms the condition for olfactory experience and may lead to craving or attachment [gandhadhātu]|, |taste element::the elemental basis for gustatory experience—such as sweet, bitter, sour, salty, spicy, or subtle flavor properties that arise in dependence on tongue contact with substances, forming the condition for taste perception and potentially giving rise to craving or attachment [rasadhātu]|, |tangible object element::the elemental basis for touch sensation—such as hardness, softness, warmth, coolness, pressure, movement, or contact with textures and bodies—anything that, when contacted by the body, can give rise to tactile experience and potentially become an object of desire, arousal, comfort, or emotional attachment [phoṭṭhabbadhātu]|, and |mental object element::the elemental basis for mental phenomena—such as thoughts, emotions, perceptions, volitions, conceptual constructs, and internal representations—that arise within the mind and form the condition for knowing, imagining, interpreting, or craving [dhammadhātu]|. This is called the diversity of elements.
And how is it, bhikkhus, that dependent on the diversity of elements, there arises a diversity of perceptions,
that dependent on the diversity of perceptions, there arises a diversity of intentions,
that dependent on the diversity of intentions, there arises a diversity of desires,
that dependent on the diversity of desires, there arises a diversity of fevers,
that dependent on the diversity of fevers, there arises a diversity of quests?
1. Forms
Dependent on the forms, there arises a |perception of form::recognition of a material shape [rūpasaññā]|,
dependent on the perception of form, there arises an intention about form,
dependent on the intention about form, there arises a desire for form,
dependent on desire for form, there arises a fever for form,
dependent on the fever for form, there arises a quest for form.
2. Sounds
Dependent on the sounds, there arises a |perception of sound::recognition of a sound [saddasaññā]|,
dependent on the perception of sound, there arises an intention about sound,
dependent on the intention about sound, there arises a desire for sound,
dependent on desire for sound, there arises a fever for sound,
dependent on the fever for sound, there arises a quest for sound.
3. Smells
Dependent on the smells, there arises a |perception of smell::recognition of an odor [gandhasaññā]|,
dependent on the perception of smell, there arises an intention about smell,
dependent on the intention about smell, there arises a desire for smell,
dependent on desire for smell, there arises a fever for smell,
dependent on the fever for smell, there arises a quest for smell.
4. Tastes
Dependent on the tastes, there arises a |perception of taste::recognition of a flavor [rasasaññā]|,
dependent on the perception of taste, there arises an intention about taste,
dependent on the intention about taste, there arises a desire for taste,
dependent on desire for taste, there arises a fever for taste,
dependent on the fever for taste, there arises a quest for taste.
5. Tangible objects
Dependent on the tangible objects, there arises a |perception of touch::recognition of a tangible [phoṭṭhabbasaññā]|,
dependent on the perception of touch, there arises an intention about touch,
dependent on the intention about touch, there arises a desire for touch,
dependent on desire for touch, there arises a fever for touch,
dependent on the fever for touch, there arises a quest for touch.
6. Mental objects
Dependent on the objects of the mind, there arises a |perception of mental objects::recognition of thoughts, ideas, and mental phenomena [dhammasaññā]|,
dependent on the perception of mental objects, there arises an intention about them,
dependent on the intention about mental objects, there arises a desire for them,
dependent on desire for mental objects, there arises a fever for them,
dependent on the fever for mental objects, there arises a quest for them.
Thus, bhikkhus, dependent on the diversity of elements, there arises a diversity of perceptions. Dependent on the diversity of perceptions, there arises a diversity of intentions. Dependent on the diversity of intentions, there arises a diversity of desires. Dependent on the diversity of desires, there arises a diversity of fevers. Dependent on the diversity of fevers, there arises a diversity of quests.”