The Buddha teaches on questioning, applying the analysis of the five aggregates—form, feeling, perception, choices, and consciousness—to insight and release.

SN 22.118 Questioning

Sāvatthinidānaṁ.

“Taṁ kiṁ maññatha, bhikkhave, rūpaṁ ‘etaṁ mama, esohamasmi, eso me attā’ti samanupassathā”ti?

“No hetaṁ, bhante”.

“Sādhu, bhikkhave. Rūpaṁ, bhikkhave, ‘netaṁ mama, nesohamasmi, na meso attā’ti evametaṁ yathābhūtaṁ sammappaññāya daṭṭhabbaṁ. Vedanaṁsaññaṁsaṅkhāreviññāṇaṁ ‘etaṁ mama, esohamasmi, eso me attā’ti samanupassathā”ti?

“No hetaṁ, bhante”.

“Sādhu, bhikkhave. Viññāṇaṁ, bhikkhave, ‘netaṁ mama, nesohamasmi, na meso attā’ti evametaṁ yathābhūtaṁ sammappaññāya daṭṭhabbaṁ …pe…

evaṁ passaṁ …pe… nāparaṁ itthattāyāti pajānātī”ti.

Chaṭṭhaṁ.

Reference Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato (CC0).

Sāvatthinidānaṁ.

At Sāvatthī.

“Taṁ kiṁ maññatha, bhikkhave,

“What do you think, mendicants?

rūpaṁ ‘etaṁ mama, esohamasmi, eso me attā’ti samanupassathā”ti?

Do you regard form like this: ‘This is mine, I am this, this is my self’?”

“No hetaṁ, bhante”.

“No, sir.”

“Sādhu, bhikkhave.

“Good, mendicants!

Rūpaṁ, bhikkhave, ‘netaṁ mama, nesohamasmi, na meso attā’ti evametaṁ yathābhūtaṁ sammappaññāya daṭṭhabbaṁ.

Form should be truly seen with right understanding like this: ‘This is not mine, I am not this, this is not my self.’

Vedanaṁ

Do you regard feeling …

saññaṁ

perception …

saṅkhāre

choices …

viññāṇaṁ ‘etaṁ mama, esohamasmi, eso me attā’ti samanupassathā”ti?

consciousness like this: ‘This is mine, I am this, this is my self’?”

“No hetaṁ, bhante”.

“No, sir.”

“Sādhu, bhikkhave.

“Good, mendicants!

Viññāṇaṁ, bhikkhave, ‘netaṁ mama, nesohamasmi, na meso attā’ti evametaṁ yathābhūtaṁ sammappaññāya daṭṭhabbaṁ …pe…

Consciousness should be truly seen with right understanding like this: ‘This is not mine, I am not this, this is not my self.’

evaṁ passaṁ …pe…

Seeing this …

nāparaṁ itthattāyāti pajānātī”ti.

They understand: ‘… there is nothing further for this place.’”

Chaṭṭhaṁ.

Qualities:

Respect

Respect

A mental attitude of reverent attentiveness that values goodness and wisdom in oneself and others. It steadies conduct and opens the mind to learning and humility.

Also known as: reverence, veneration, regard, admiration, appreciation, deference, honour, attentiveness
Pāli: gārava, pūjā, sakkāra
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Right view

Right view

View that is in line with the Dhamma — teachings of the Buddha that point to the nature of reality, the ultimate truth.

Also known as: right understanding, right belief, view that is inline with the Dhamma
Pāli: sammādiṭṭhi
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Wholesome

Wholesome

Conducive to or suggestive of good health and mental well-being.

Also known as: blameless, skillful, beneficial, good, useful, healthy, nourishing, sustaining
Pāli: kusala
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Last updated on July 27, 2026