The Buddha teaches on the five aggregates regarding ascetics (1st), showing how they are to be understood for liberation from suffering.

SN 22.107 Ascetics (1st)

Sāvatthinidānaṁ.

“Pañcime, bhikkhave, upādānakkhandhā. Katame pañca? Seyyathidaṁrūpupādānakkhandho …pe… viññāṇupādānakkhandho.

Ye hi keci, bhikkhave, samaṇā brāhmaṇā imesaṁ pañcannaṁ upādānakkhandhānaṁ assādañca ādīnavañca nissaraṇañca yathābhūtaṁ nappajānanti …pe…

pajānanti, sayaṁ abhiññā sacchikatvā upasampajja viharantī”ti.

Pañcamaṁ.

Reference Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato (CC0).

Sāvatthinidānaṁ.

At Sāvatthī.

“Pañcime, bhikkhave, upādānakkhandhā.

“Mendicants, there are these five grasping aggregates.

Katame pañca?

What five?

Seyyathidaṁrūpupādānakkhandho …pe… viññāṇupādānakkhandho.

That is, the grasping aggregates of form, feeling, perception, choices, and consciousness.

Ye hi keci, bhikkhave, samaṇā brāhmaṇā imesaṁ pañcannaṁ upādānakkhandhānaṁ assādañca ādīnavañca nissaraṇañca yathābhūtaṁ nappajānanti …pe…

There are ascetics and brahmins who don’t truly understand these five grasping aggregates’ gratification, drawback, and escape …

pajānanti, sayaṁ abhiññā sacchikatvā upasampajja viharantī”ti.

There are ascetics and brahmins who do truly understand …”

Pañcamaṁ.

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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Wisdom

Wisdom

Lived understanding and sound judgment that steers the mind away from suffering, distinct from mere accumulation of facts.

Also known as: (of a person) wise, astute, intelligent, learned, skilled, firm, stable, steadfast, an experiential understanding of the four noble truths
Pāli: paññā, medhā, dhīra, paṇḍita, asammūḷha
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Last updated on July 27, 2026