The Buddha explains that whoever delights in the five aggregates, delights in suffering and is not freed from suffering.

PTS 3.31

SN 22.29 Abhinandana sutta - Delight

Sāvatthinidānaṁ.

At Sāvatthi.

“Yo, bhikkhave, rūpaṁ abhinandati, dukkhaṁ so abhinandati. Yo dukkhaṁ abhinandati, aparimutto so dukkhasmāti vadāmi.

“Whoever delights in form, delights in suffering. I say that one who delights in suffering is not freed from suffering.

Yo vedanaṁ abhinandati … yo saññaṁ abhinandati … yo saṅkhāre abhinandati … yo viññāṇaṁ abhinandati, dukkhaṁ so abhinandati. Yo dukkhaṁ abhinandati, aparimutto so dukkhasmāti vadāmi.

Whoever delights in feeling, delights in suffering. Whoever delights in perception, delights in suffering. Whoever delights in intentional constructs, delights in suffering. Whoever delights in consciousness, delights in suffering. I say that one who delights in suffering is not freed from suffering.

Yo ca kho, bhikkhave, rūpaṁ nābhinandati, dukkhaṁ so nābhinandati. Yo dukkhaṁ nābhinandati, parimutto so dukkhasmāti vadāmi.

However, whoever does not delight in form, does not delight in suffering. I say that one who does not delight in suffering is freed from suffering.

Yo vedanaṁ nābhinandati … yo saññaṁ nābhinandati … yo saṅkhāre nābhinandati … yo viññāṇaṁ nābhinandati, dukkhaṁ so nābhinandati. Yo dukkhaṁ nābhinandati, parimutto so dukkhasmāti vadāmī”ti.

Whoever does not delight in feeling, does not delight in suffering. Whoever does not delight in perception, does not delight in suffering. Whoever does not delight in intentional constructs, does not delight in suffering. Whoever does not delight in consciousness, does not delight in suffering. I say that one who does not delight in suffering is freed from suffering.”

Topics & Qualities:

Consciousness

Consciousness

Consciousness, the fifth aggregate, has two key meanings in the discourses: 1.) The distinctive quality of awareness which knows and arises in dependence on the meeting of eye and form, ear and sound, nose and odor, tongue and taste, body and tangible object, mind and mind object. 2.) A seed that finds a footing in a realm, established by ignorance and intention, leading to renewed existence.

Also known as: awareness, the faculty that distinguishes
Pāli: viññāṇa
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Delight

Delight

A mental quality of relishing and taking pleasure in what is experienced—especially in sensuality or the prospect of continued becoming. When it fastens onto gratification, it nourishes craving and keeps the mind circling around what it wants to experience again.

Also known as: relishing, enjoyment, taking pleasure
Pāli: nandi, ārāmatā
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Felt Experience

Felt Experience

Pleasant, neutral, or painful sensation—the experience felt on contact. Sometimes translated as “feeling.” Distinct from an emotional state or reaction, it refers to the affective tone of experience, the bare sensation of pleasure, pain, or neutrality before mental responses arise. It is the second of the five aggregates.

Also known as: feeling
Pāli: vedanā
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Intentional Constructs

Intentional Constructs

Intentional constructs are intentions, volitions, and choices expressed through body, speech, and mind. These are the kamma-producing processes that ‘fabricate’ experience. It is the fourth of the five aggregates.

Also known as: volitional formations, fabrications
Pāli: saṅkhāra
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Perception

Perception

The mental process of recognizing and giving meaning to experience. It marks sensory information by signs, labels, or associations drawn from memory and the field of contact. Perception shapes how one experiences the world. It is the third of the five aggregates.

Also known as: recognition, conception
Pāli: sañña
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Last updated on October 4, 2026

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