The Buddha teaches on observing not-self, applying the analysis of the five aggregates—form, feeling, perception, choices, and consciousness—to insight and release.

SN 22.149 Observing Not-Self -

Sāvatthinidānaṁ.

“Saddhāpabbajitassa, bhikkhave, kulaputtassa ayamanudhammo hoti yaṁ rūpe anattānupassī vihareyya. Vedanāyasaññāyasaṅkhāresuviññāṇe anattānupassī vihareyya. Anattānupassī viharanto, vedanāyasaññāyasaṅkhāresuviññāṇe anattānupassī viharanto rūpaṁ parijānāti, vedanaṁ …pe… saññaṁsaṅkhāreviññāṇaṁ parijānāti. So rūpaṁ parijānaṁ vedanaṁ parijānaṁ saññaṁ parijānaṁ saṅkhāre parijānaṁ viññāṇaṁ parijānaṁ parimuccati rūpamhā, parimuccati vedanāya, parimuccati saññāya, parimuccati saṅkhārehi, parimuccati viññāṇamhā, parimuccati jātiyā jarāya maraṇena sokehi paridevehi dukkhehi domanassehi upāyāsehi; ‘parimuccati dukkhasmā’ti vadāmī”ti.

Cuddasamaṁ.

Kukkuḷavaggo catuttho.

Tassuddānaṁ

Kukkuḷā tayo aniccena,
dukkhena apare tayo;
Anattena tayo vuttā,
kulaputtena dve dukāti.

Reference Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato (CC0).

Sāvatthinidānaṁ.

At Sāvatthī.

“Saddhāpabbajitassa, bhikkhave, kulaputtassa ayamanudhammo hoti

“Mendicants, when a gentleman has gone forth out of faith, this is what’s in line with the teaching.

yaṁ rūpe anattānupassī vihareyya.

They should meditate observing not-self in form,

Vedanāya

feeling,

saññāya

perception,

saṅkhāresu

choices,

viññāṇe anattānupassī vihareyya.

and consciousness. …

Anattānupassī viharanto, vedanāya

saññāya

saṅkhāresu

viññāṇe anattānupassī viharanto rūpaṁ parijānāti, vedanaṁ …pe…

saññaṁ

saṅkhāre

viññāṇaṁ parijānāti.

So rūpaṁ parijānaṁ vedanaṁ parijānaṁ saññaṁ parijānaṁ saṅkhāre parijānaṁ viññāṇaṁ parijānaṁ parimuccati rūpamhā, parimuccati vedanāya, parimuccati saññāya, parimuccati saṅkhārehi, parimuccati viññāṇamhā, parimuccati jātiyā jarāya maraṇena sokehi paridevehi dukkhehi domanassehi upāyāsehi;

‘parimuccati dukkhasmā’ti vadāmī”ti.

They’re freed from suffering, I say.”

Cuddasamaṁ.

Kukkuḷavaggo catuttho.

Tassuddānaṁ

Kukkuḷā tayo aniccena,

dukkhena apare tayo;

Anattena tayo vuttā,

kulaputtena dve dukāti.

Qualities:

Faith

Faith

Confidence in the Buddha's awakening and the efficacy of the path. It brightens and steadies the mind, removing doubt and inspiring energy toward wholesome practice. True faith rests on clarity and direct experience rather than mere belief.

Also known as: confidence, trust, belief, conviction, self-assurance
Pāli: saddha, pasanna
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Suffering

Suffering

Unpleasantness, discontentment, dissatisfaction, stress, pain, disease, i.e. mild or intense suffering that is inherent in conditioned existence.

Also known as: discomfort, unpleasantness, discontentedness, dissatisfaction, stress, pain, disease, distress, affliction
Pāli: dukkha
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Last updated on July 27, 2026