The Buddha teaches that each of the five aggregates is impermanent, suffering, and not-self, and should be truly seen with right understanding until the mind is freed by not grasping.

SN 22.57 Seven Cases

Sāvatthinidānaṁ.

“Sattaṭṭhānakusalo, bhikkhave, bhikkhu tividhūpaparikkhī imasmiṁ dhammavinaye kevalī vusitavā uttamapurisoti vuccati.

Kathañca, bhikkhave, bhikkhu sattaṭṭhānakusalo hoti? Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu rūpaṁ pajānāti, rūpasamudayaṁ pajānāti, rūpanirodhaṁ pajānāti, rūpanirodhagāminiṁ paṭipadaṁ pajānāti; rūpassa assādaṁ pajānāti, rūpassa ādīnavaṁ pajānāti, rūpassa nissaraṇaṁ pajānāti; vedanaṁ pajānātisaññaṁsaṅkhāreviññāṇaṁ pajānāti, viññāṇasamudayaṁ pajānāti, viññāṇanirodhaṁ pajānāti, viññāṇanirodhagāminiṁ paṭipadaṁ pajānāti; viññāṇassa assādaṁ pajānāti, viññāṇassa ādīnavaṁ pajānāti, viññāṇassa nissaraṇaṁ pajānāti.

Katamañca, bhikkhave, rūpaṁ? Cattāro ca mahābhūtā, catunnañca mahābhūtānaṁ upādāya rūpaṁ. Idaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, rūpaṁ. Āhārasamudayā rūpasamudayo; āhāranirodhā rūpanirodho. Ayameva ariyo aṭṭhaṅgiko maggo rūpanirodhagāminī paṭipadā, seyyathidaṁ sammādiṭṭhi …pe… sammāsamādhi.

Yaṁ rūpaṁ paṭicca uppajjati sukhaṁ somanassaṁ ayaṁ rūpassa assādo. Yaṁ rūpaṁ aniccaṁ dukkhaṁ vipariṇāmadhammaṁ ayaṁ rūpassa ādīnavo. Yo rūpasmiṁ chandarāgavinayo chandarāgappahānaṁ idaṁ rūpassa nissaraṇaṁ.

Ye hi keci, bhikkhave, samaṇā brāhmaṇā evaṁ rūpaṁ abhiññāya, evaṁ rūpasamudayaṁ abhiññāya, evaṁ rūpanirodhaṁ abhiññāya, evaṁ rūpanirodhagāminiṁ paṭipadaṁ abhiññāya; evaṁ rūpassa assādaṁ abhiññāya, evaṁ rūpassa ādīnavaṁ abhiññāya, evaṁ rūpassa nissaraṇaṁ abhiññāya rūpassa nibbidāya virāgāya nirodhāya paṭipannā, te suppaṭipannā. Ye suppaṭipannā, te imasmiṁ dhammavinaye gādhanti.

Ye ca kho keci, bhikkhave, samaṇā brāhmaṇā evaṁ rūpaṁ abhiññāya, evaṁ rūpasamudayaṁ abhiññāya, evaṁ rūpanirodhaṁ abhiññāya, evaṁ rūpanirodhagāminiṁ paṭipadaṁ abhiññāya; evaṁ rūpassa assādaṁ abhiññāya, evaṁ rūpassa ādīnavaṁ abhiññāya, evaṁ rūpassa nissaraṇaṁ abhiññāya rūpassa nibbidā virāgā nirodhā anupādā vimuttā, te suvimuttā. Ye suvimuttā, te kevalino. Ye kevalino vaṭṭaṁ tesaṁ natthi paññāpanāya.

Katamā ca, bhikkhave, vedanā? Chayime, bhikkhave, vedanākāyā cakkhusamphassajā vedanā …pe… manosamphassajā vedanā. Ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, vedanā. Phassasamudayā vedanāsamudayo; phassanirodhā vedanānirodho. Ayameva ariyo aṭṭhaṅgiko maggo vedanānirodhagāminī paṭipadā, seyyathidaṁ sammādiṭṭhi …pe… sammāsamādhi.

Yaṁ vedanaṁ paṭicca uppajjati sukhaṁ somanassaṁ ayaṁ vedanāya assādo. vedanā aniccā dukkhā vipariṇāmadhammā ayaṁ vedanāya ādīnavo. Yo vedanāya chandarāgavinayo chandarāgappahānaṁ idaṁ vedanāya nissaraṇaṁ.

Ye hi, keci, bhikkhave, samaṇā brāhmaṇā evaṁ vedanaṁ abhiññāya, evaṁ vedanāsamudayaṁ abhiññāya, evaṁ vedanānirodhaṁ abhiññāya, evaṁ vedanānirodhagāminiṁ paṭipadaṁ abhiññāya; evaṁ vedanāya assādaṁ abhiññāya, evaṁ vedanāya ādīnavaṁ abhiññāya, evaṁ vedanāya nissaraṇaṁ abhiññāya vedanāya nibbidāya virāgāya nirodhāya paṭipannā, te suppaṭipannā. Ye suppaṭipannā, te imasmiṁ dhammavinaye gādhanti.

Ye ca kho keci, bhikkhave, samaṇā brāhmaṇā evaṁ vedanaṁ abhiññāya …pe… vaṭṭaṁ tesaṁ natthi paññāpanāya.

Katamā ca, bhikkhave, saññā? Chayime, bhikkhave, saññākāyā rūpasaññā, saddasaññā, gandhasaññā, rasasaññā, phoṭṭhabbasaññā, dhammasaññā. Ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, saññā. Phassasamudayā saññāsamudayo; phassanirodhā saññānirodho. Ayameva ariyo aṭṭhaṅgiko maggo saññānirodhagāminī paṭipadā, seyyathidaṁ sammādiṭṭhi …pe… sammāsamādhi …pe… vaṭṭaṁ tesaṁ natthi paññāpanāya.

Katame ca, bhikkhave, saṅkhārā? Chayime, bhikkhave, cetanākāyā rūpasañcetanā …pe… dhammasañcetanā. Ime vuccanti, bhikkhave, saṅkhārā. Phassasamudayā saṅkhārasamudayo; phassanirodhā saṅkhāranirodho. Ayameva ariyo aṭṭhaṅgiko maggo saṅkhāranirodhagāminī paṭipadā, seyyathidaṁ sammādiṭṭhi …pe… sammāsamādhi.

Yaṁ saṅkhāre paṭicca uppajjati sukhaṁ somanassaṁ ayaṁ saṅkhārānaṁ assādo. Ye saṅkhārā aniccā dukkhā vipariṇāmadhammā ayaṁ saṅkhārānaṁ ādīnavo. Yo saṅkhāresu chandarāgavinayo chandarāgappahānaṁ idaṁ saṅkhārānaṁ nissaraṇaṁ.

Ye hi keci, bhikkhave, samaṇā brāhmaṇā evaṁ saṅkhāre abhiññāya, evaṁ saṅkhārasamudayaṁ abhiññāya, evaṁ saṅkhāranirodhaṁ abhiññāya, evaṁ saṅkhāranirodhagāminiṁ paṭipadaṁ abhiññāya …pe… saṅkhārānaṁ nibbidāya virāgāya nirodhāya paṭipannā te suppaṭipannā. Ye suppaṭipannā, te imasmiṁ dhammavinaye gādhanti …pe… vaṭṭaṁ tesaṁ natthi paññāpanāya.

Katamañca, bhikkhave, viññāṇaṁ? Chayime, bhikkhave, viññāṇakāyā cakkhuviññāṇaṁ, sotaviññāṇaṁ, ghānaviññāṇaṁ, jivhāviññāṇaṁ, kāyaviññāṇaṁ, manoviññāṇaṁ. Idaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, viññāṇaṁ. Nāmarūpasamudayā viññāṇasamudayo; nāmarūpanirodhā viññāṇanirodho. Ayameva ariyo aṭṭhaṅgiko maggo viññāṇanirodhagāminī paṭipadā, seyyathidaṁ sammādiṭṭhi …pe… sammāsamādhi.

Yaṁ viññāṇaṁ paṭicca uppajjati sukhaṁ somanassaṁ ayaṁ viññāṇassa assādo. Yaṁ viññāṇaṁ aniccaṁ dukkhaṁ vipariṇāmadhammaṁ ayaṁ viññāṇassa ādīnavo. Yo viññāṇasmiṁ chandarāgavinayo chandarāgappahānaṁ idaṁ viññāṇassa nissaraṇaṁ.

Ye hi keci, bhikkhave, samaṇā brāhmaṇā evaṁ viññāṇaṁ abhiññāya, evaṁ viññāṇasamudayaṁ abhiññāya, evaṁ viññāṇanirodhaṁ abhiññāya, evaṁ viññāṇanirodhagāminiṁ paṭipadaṁ abhiññāya; evaṁ viññāṇassa assādaṁ abhiññāya, evaṁ viññāṇassa ādīnavaṁ abhiññāya, evaṁ viññāṇassa nissaraṇaṁ abhiññāya viññāṇassa nibbidāya virāgāya nirodhāya paṭipannā, te suppaṭipannā. Ye suppaṭipannā, te imasmiṁ dhammavinaye gādhanti.

Ye ca kho keci, bhikkhave, samaṇā brāhmaṇā evaṁ viññāṇaṁ abhiññāya, evaṁ viññāṇasamudayaṁ abhiññāya, evaṁ viññāṇanirodhaṁ abhiññāya, evaṁ viññāṇanirodhagāminiṁ paṭipadaṁ abhiññāya; evaṁ viññāṇassa assādaṁ abhiññāya, evaṁ viññāṇassa ādīnavaṁ abhiññāya, evaṁ viññāṇassa nissaraṇaṁ abhiññāya viññāṇassa nibbidā virāgā nirodhā anupādā vimuttā, te suvimuttā. Ye suvimuttā, te kevalino. Ye kevalino vaṭṭaṁ tesaṁ natthi paññāpanāya. Evaṁ kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhu sattaṭṭhānakusalo hoti.

Kathañca, bhikkhave, bhikkhu tividhūpaparikkhī hoti? Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu dhātuso upaparikkhati, āyatanaso upaparikkhati, paṭiccasamuppādaso upaparikkhati. Evaṁ kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhu tividhūpaparikkhī hoti.

Sattaṭṭhānakusalo, bhikkhave, bhikkhu tividhūpaparikkhī, imasmiṁ dhammavinaye kevalī vusitavā ‘uttamapuriso’ti vuccatī”ti.

Pañcamaṁ.

Reference Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato (CC0).

Sāvatthinidānaṁ.

At Sāvatthī.

“Sattaṭṭhānakusalo, bhikkhave, bhikkhu tividhūpaparikkhī imasmiṁ dhammavinaye kevalī vusitavā uttamapurisoti vuccati.

“Mendicants, in this teaching and training a mendicant who is skilled in seven cases and who examines in three ways is called consummate, accomplished, a supreme person.

Kathañca, bhikkhave, bhikkhu sattaṭṭhānakusalo hoti?

And how is a mendicant skilled in seven cases?

Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu rūpaṁ pajānāti, rūpasamudayaṁ pajānāti, rūpanirodhaṁ pajānāti, rūpanirodhagāminiṁ paṭipadaṁ pajānāti;

It’s when a mendicant understands form, its origin, its cessation, and the practice that leads to its cessation.

rūpassa assādaṁ pajānāti, rūpassa ādīnavaṁ pajānāti, rūpassa nissaraṇaṁ pajānāti;

They understand form’s gratification, drawback, and escape.

vedanaṁ pajānāti

They understand feeling …

saññaṁ

perception …

saṅkhāre

choices …

viññāṇaṁ pajānāti, viññāṇasamudayaṁ pajānāti, viññāṇanirodhaṁ pajānāti, viññāṇanirodhagāminiṁ paṭipadaṁ pajānāti;

consciousness, its origin, its cessation, and the practice that leads to its cessation.

viññāṇassa assādaṁ pajānāti, viññāṇassa ādīnavaṁ pajānāti, viññāṇassa nissaraṇaṁ pajānāti.

They understand consciousness’s gratification, drawback, and escape.

Katamañca, bhikkhave, rūpaṁ?

And what is form?

Cattāro ca mahābhūtā, catunnañca mahābhūtānaṁ upādāya rūpaṁ.

The four principal states, and form derived from the four principal states.

Idaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, rūpaṁ.

This is called form.

Āhārasamudayā rūpasamudayo;

Form originates from fuel.

āhāranirodhā rūpanirodho.

When fuel ceases, form ceases.

Ayameva ariyo aṭṭhaṅgiko maggo rūpanirodhagāminī paṭipadā, seyyathidaṁ

The practice that leads to the cessation of form is simply this noble eightfold path, that is:

sammādiṭṭhi …pe… sammāsamādhi.

right view, right purpose, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right immersion.

Yaṁ rūpaṁ paṭicca uppajjati sukhaṁ somanassaṁ

The pleasure and happiness that arise from form: this is its gratification.

ayaṁ rūpassa assādo.

Yaṁ rūpaṁ aniccaṁ dukkhaṁ vipariṇāmadhammaṁ

That form is impermanent, suffering, and perishable: this is its drawback.

ayaṁ rūpassa ādīnavo.

Yo rūpasmiṁ chandarāgavinayo chandarāgappahānaṁ

Removing and giving up desire and greed for form: this is its escape.

idaṁ rūpassa nissaraṇaṁ.

Ye hi keci, bhikkhave, samaṇā brāhmaṇā evaṁ rūpaṁ abhiññāya, evaṁ rūpasamudayaṁ abhiññāya, evaṁ rūpanirodhaṁ abhiññāya, evaṁ rūpanirodhagāminiṁ paṭipadaṁ abhiññāya;

Those ascetics and brahmins who have directly known form in this way—and its origin, its cessation, and the practice that leads to its cessation;

evaṁ rūpassa assādaṁ abhiññāya, evaṁ rūpassa ādīnavaṁ abhiññāya, evaṁ rūpassa nissaraṇaṁ abhiññāya rūpassa nibbidāya virāgāya nirodhāya paṭipannā, te suppaṭipannā.

its gratification, drawback, and escape—and are practicing for disillusionment, dispassion, and cessation regarding form: they are practicing well.

Ye suppaṭipannā, te imasmiṁ dhammavinaye gādhanti.

Those who practice well have a footing in this teaching and training.

Ye ca kho keci, bhikkhave, samaṇā brāhmaṇā evaṁ rūpaṁ abhiññāya, evaṁ rūpasamudayaṁ abhiññāya, evaṁ rūpanirodhaṁ abhiññāya, evaṁ rūpanirodhagāminiṁ paṭipadaṁ abhiññāya;

Those ascetics and brahmins who have directly known form in this way—and its origin, its cessation, and the practice that leads to its cessation;

evaṁ rūpassa assādaṁ abhiññāya, evaṁ rūpassa ādīnavaṁ abhiññāya, evaṁ rūpassa nissaraṇaṁ abhiññāya rūpassa nibbidā virāgā nirodhā anupādā vimuttā, te suvimuttā.

its gratification, drawback, and escape—and due to disillusionment, dispassion, and cessation regarding form, are freed by not grasping: they are well freed.

Ye suvimuttā, te kevalino.

Those who are well freed are consummate ones.

Ye kevalino vaṭṭaṁ tesaṁ natthi paññāpanāya.

For consummate ones, there is no cycle of rebirths to be found.

Katamā ca, bhikkhave, vedanā?

And what is feeling?

Chayime, bhikkhave, vedanākāyā

There are these six classes of feeling:

cakkhusamphassajā vedanā …pe…

feeling born of eye contact …

manosamphassajā vedanā.

feeling born of mind contact.

Ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, vedanā.

This is called feeling.

Phassasamudayā vedanāsamudayo;

Feeling originates from contact.

phassanirodhā vedanānirodho.

When contact ceases, feeling ceases.

Ayameva ariyo aṭṭhaṅgiko maggo vedanānirodhagāminī paṭipadā, seyyathidaṁ

The practice that leads to the cessation of feelings is simply this noble eightfold path, that is:

sammādiṭṭhi …pe… sammāsamādhi.

right view, right purpose, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right immersion.

Yaṁ vedanaṁ paṭicca uppajjati sukhaṁ somanassaṁ

The pleasure and happiness that arise from feeling: this is its gratification.

ayaṁ vedanāya assādo.

vedanā aniccā dukkhā vipariṇāmadhammā

That feeling is impermanent, suffering, and perishable: this is its drawback.

ayaṁ vedanāya ādīnavo.

Yo vedanāya chandarāgavinayo chandarāgappahānaṁ

Removing and giving up desire and greed for feeling: this is its escape. …

idaṁ vedanāya nissaraṇaṁ.

Ye hi, keci, bhikkhave, samaṇā brāhmaṇā evaṁ vedanaṁ abhiññāya, evaṁ vedanāsamudayaṁ abhiññāya, evaṁ vedanānirodhaṁ abhiññāya, evaṁ vedanānirodhagāminiṁ paṭipadaṁ abhiññāya;

evaṁ vedanāya assādaṁ abhiññāya, evaṁ vedanāya ādīnavaṁ abhiññāya, evaṁ vedanāya nissaraṇaṁ abhiññāya vedanāya nibbidāya virāgāya nirodhāya paṭipannā, te suppaṭipannā.

Ye suppaṭipannā, te imasmiṁ dhammavinaye gādhanti.

Ye ca kho keci, bhikkhave, samaṇā brāhmaṇā evaṁ vedanaṁ abhiññāya …pe…

vaṭṭaṁ tesaṁ natthi paññāpanāya.

Katamā ca, bhikkhave, saññā?

And what is perception?

Chayime, bhikkhave, saññākāyā

There are these six classes of perception:

rūpasaññā, saddasaññā, gandhasaññā, rasasaññā, phoṭṭhabbasaññā, dhammasaññā.

perceptions of sights, sounds, smells, tastes, touches, and ideas.

Ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, saññā.

This is called perception.

Phassasamudayā saññāsamudayo;

Perception originates from contact.

phassanirodhā saññānirodho.

When contact ceases, perception ceases.

Ayameva ariyo aṭṭhaṅgiko maggo saññānirodhagāminī paṭipadā, seyyathidaṁ

The practice that leads to the cessation of perceptions is simply this noble eightfold path …

sammādiṭṭhi …pe… sammāsamādhi …pe…

vaṭṭaṁ tesaṁ natthi paññāpanāya.

Katame ca, bhikkhave, saṅkhārā?

And what are choices?

Chayime, bhikkhave, cetanākāyā

There are these six classes of intention:

rūpasañcetanā …pe…

intention regarding sights …

dhammasañcetanā.

intention regarding ideas.

Ime vuccanti, bhikkhave, saṅkhārā.

These are called choices.

Phassasamudayā saṅkhārasamudayo;

Choices originate from contact.

phassanirodhā saṅkhāranirodho.

When contact ceases, choices cease.

Ayameva ariyo aṭṭhaṅgiko maggo saṅkhāranirodhagāminī paṭipadā, seyyathidaṁ

The practice that leads to the cessation of choices is simply this noble eightfold path …

sammādiṭṭhi …pe… sammāsamādhi.

Yaṁ saṅkhāre paṭicca uppajjati sukhaṁ somanassaṁ

ayaṁ saṅkhārānaṁ assādo.

Ye saṅkhārā aniccā dukkhā vipariṇāmadhammā

ayaṁ saṅkhārānaṁ ādīnavo.

Yo saṅkhāresu chandarāgavinayo chandarāgappahānaṁ

idaṁ saṅkhārānaṁ nissaraṇaṁ.

Ye hi keci, bhikkhave, samaṇā brāhmaṇā evaṁ saṅkhāre abhiññāya, evaṁ saṅkhārasamudayaṁ abhiññāya, evaṁ saṅkhāranirodhaṁ abhiññāya, evaṁ saṅkhāranirodhagāminiṁ paṭipadaṁ abhiññāya …pe… saṅkhārānaṁ nibbidāya virāgāya nirodhāya paṭipannā te suppaṭipannā.

Ye suppaṭipannā, te imasmiṁ dhammavinaye gādhanti …pe…

vaṭṭaṁ tesaṁ natthi paññāpanāya.

Katamañca, bhikkhave, viññāṇaṁ?

And what is consciousness?

Chayime, bhikkhave, viññāṇakāyā

There are these six classes of consciousness:

cakkhuviññāṇaṁ, sotaviññāṇaṁ, ghānaviññāṇaṁ, jivhāviññāṇaṁ, kāyaviññāṇaṁ, manoviññāṇaṁ.

eye, ear, nose, tongue, body, and mind consciousness.

Idaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, viññāṇaṁ.

This is called consciousness.

Nāmarūpasamudayā viññāṇasamudayo;

Consciousness originates from name and form.

nāmarūpanirodhā viññāṇanirodho.

When name and form cease, consciousness ceases.

Ayameva ariyo aṭṭhaṅgiko maggo viññāṇanirodhagāminī paṭipadā, seyyathidaṁ

The practice that leads to the cessation of consciousness is simply this noble eightfold path, that is:

sammādiṭṭhi …pe… sammāsamādhi.

right view, right purpose, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right immersion.

Yaṁ viññāṇaṁ paṭicca uppajjati sukhaṁ somanassaṁ

The pleasure and happiness that arise from consciousness: this is its gratification.

ayaṁ viññāṇassa assādo.

Yaṁ viññāṇaṁ aniccaṁ dukkhaṁ vipariṇāmadhammaṁ

That consciousness is impermanent, suffering, and perishable: this is its drawback.

ayaṁ viññāṇassa ādīnavo.

Yo viññāṇasmiṁ chandarāgavinayo chandarāgappahānaṁ

Removing and giving up desire and greed for consciousness: this is its escape.

idaṁ viññāṇassa nissaraṇaṁ.

Ye hi keci, bhikkhave, samaṇā brāhmaṇā evaṁ viññāṇaṁ abhiññāya, evaṁ viññāṇasamudayaṁ abhiññāya, evaṁ viññāṇanirodhaṁ abhiññāya, evaṁ viññāṇanirodhagāminiṁ paṭipadaṁ abhiññāya;

Those ascetics and brahmins who have directly known consciousness in this way—and its origin, its cessation, and the practice that leads to its cessation;

evaṁ viññāṇassa assādaṁ abhiññāya, evaṁ viññāṇassa ādīnavaṁ abhiññāya, evaṁ viññāṇassa nissaraṇaṁ abhiññāya viññāṇassa nibbidāya virāgāya nirodhāya paṭipannā, te suppaṭipannā.

its gratification, drawback, and escape—and are practicing for disillusionment, dispassion, and cessation regarding consciousness: they are practicing well.

Ye suppaṭipannā, te imasmiṁ dhammavinaye gādhanti.

Those who practice well have a footing in this teaching and training.

Ye ca kho keci, bhikkhave, samaṇā brāhmaṇā evaṁ viññāṇaṁ abhiññāya, evaṁ viññāṇasamudayaṁ abhiññāya, evaṁ viññāṇanirodhaṁ abhiññāya, evaṁ viññāṇanirodhagāminiṁ paṭipadaṁ abhiññāya;

Those ascetics and brahmins who have directly known consciousness in this way—and its origin, its cessation, and the practice that leads to its cessation;

evaṁ viññāṇassa assādaṁ abhiññāya, evaṁ viññāṇassa ādīnavaṁ abhiññāya, evaṁ viññāṇassa nissaraṇaṁ abhiññāya viññāṇassa nibbidā virāgā nirodhā anupādā vimuttā, te suvimuttā.

its gratification, drawback, and escape—and due to disillusionment, dispassion, and cessation regarding consciousness, are freed by not grasping: they are well freed.

Ye suvimuttā, te kevalino.

Those who are well freed are consummate ones.

Ye kevalino vaṭṭaṁ tesaṁ natthi paññāpanāya.

For consummate ones, there is no cycle of rebirths to be found.

Evaṁ kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhu sattaṭṭhānakusalo hoti.

That’s how a mendicant is skilled in seven cases.

Kathañca, bhikkhave, bhikkhu tividhūpaparikkhī hoti?

And how does a mendicant examine in three ways?

Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu dhātuso upaparikkhati, āyatanaso upaparikkhati, paṭiccasamuppādaso upaparikkhati.

It’s when a mendicant examines by way of the elements, sense fields, and dependent origination.

Evaṁ kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhu tividhūpaparikkhī hoti.

That’s how a mendicant examines in three ways.

Sattaṭṭhānakusalo, bhikkhave, bhikkhu tividhūpaparikkhī, imasmiṁ dhammavinaye kevalī vusitavā ‘uttamapuriso’ti vuccatī”ti.

In this teaching and training, a mendicant who is skilled in seven cases and who examines in three ways is called consummate, accomplished, a supreme person.”

Pañcamaṁ.

Topics & Qualities:

Desire

Desire

A wholesome motivation, interest, or objective that acts as the starting point for effort and application of will.

Also known as: aspiration, interest, wish, having an objective, intention, impulse
Pāli: chanda
View all discourses →
Dispassion

Dispassion

The fading of desire and attraction toward conditioned things. It arises through seeing the impermanent and unsatisfactory nature of experience. It is the natural fragrance of understanding and the forerunner of release.

Also known as: detachment, disinterest, fading of desire, disentanglement
Pāli: virāga, visaṁyutta
View all discourses →
Ending

Ending

The complete exhaustion and ending of craving, aversion, and delusion—the three roots of suffering. It refers to both the gradual wearing away of defilements through practice and the final cessation that constitutes Nibbāna.

Also known as: cessation, exhaustion, gradual ending, wearing away
Pāli: khaya, khīṇa, nirodha
View all discourses →
Giving

Giving

The act of generosity, sharing, or offering to others without expecting anything in return. Giving is considered a foundational virtue in Buddhist practice, fostering selflessness and compassion.

Also known as: generosity, charity, donation, almsgiving, donating, philanthropy, providing with, gift with
Pāli: dāna
View all discourses →
Giving up

Giving up

The mental quality of renunciation and release from attachment. It delights in simplicity and freedom rather than in sensual pleasure. Giving up is not loss but the joyful abandoning of burden, opening the way to peace and insight.

Also known as: renunciation, relinquishment, letting go, abandonment
Pāli: nekkhamma
View all discourses →
Happiness

Happiness

Bodily ease and comfort; a pleasant feeling experienced with the body. In the third jhāna, one dwells experiencing this pleasure with the body. It is abandoned, along with bodily pain, for the fourth jhāna to arise.

Also known as: pleasant abiding, positive state of mind, sense of ease
Pāli: sukha
View all discourses →

Last updated on July 27, 2026