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

SN 22.64 Conceiving

Sāvatthinidānaṁ.

Atha kho aññataro bhikkhu …pe… ekamantaṁ nisinno kho so bhikkhu bhagavantaṁ etadavoca: “sādhu me, bhante, bhagavā saṅkhittena dhammaṁ desetu …pe… ātāpī pahitatto vihareyyan”ti.

“Maññamāno kho, bhikkhu, baddho mārassa; amaññamāno mutto pāpimato”ti.

“Aññātaṁ, bhagavā, aññātaṁ, sugatā”ti.

“Yathā kathaṁ pana tvaṁ, bhikkhu, mayā saṅkhittena bhāsitassa vitthārena atthaṁ ājānāsī”ti?

“Rūpaṁ kho, bhante, maññamāno baddho mārassa; amaññamāno mutto pāpimato. Vedanaṁsaññaṁsaṅkhāreviññāṇaṁ maññamāno baddho mārassa; amaññamāno mutto pāpimato.

Imassa khvāhaṁ, bhante, bhagavatā saṅkhittena bhāsitassa evaṁ vitthārena atthaṁ ājānāmī”ti.

“Sādhu sādhu, bhikkhu. Sādhu kho tvaṁ, bhikkhu, mayā saṅkhittena bhāsitassa vitthārena atthaṁ ājānāsi.

Rūpaṁ kho, bhikkhu, maññamāno baddho mārassa; amaññamāno mutto pāpimato. Vedanaṁsaññaṁsaṅkhāreviññāṇaṁ maññamāno baddho mārassa; amaññamāno mutto pāpimato.

Imassa kho, bhikkhu, mayā saṅkhittena bhāsitassa evaṁ vitthārena attho daṭṭhabbo”ti …pe…

aññataro ca pana so bhikkhu arahataṁ ahosīti.

Dutiyaṁ.

Reference Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato (CC0).

Sāvatthinidānaṁ.

At Sāvatthī.

Atha kho aññataro bhikkhu …pe… ekamantaṁ nisinno kho so bhikkhu bhagavantaṁ etadavoca:

Then a mendicant went up to the Buddha … and asked him,

“sādhu me, bhante, bhagavā saṅkhittena dhammaṁ desetu …pe… ātāpī pahitatto vihareyyan”ti.

“Sir, may the Buddha please teach me Dhamma in brief. When I’ve heard it, I’ll live alone, withdrawn, diligent, keen, and resolute.”

“Maññamāno kho, bhikkhu, baddho mārassa;

“When you conceive, mendicant, you’re bound by Māra.

amaññamāno mutto pāpimato”ti.

Not conceiving, you’re free from the Wicked One.”

“Aññātaṁ, bhagavā, aññātaṁ, sugatā”ti.

“Understood, Blessed One! Understood, Holy One!”

“Yathā kathaṁ pana tvaṁ, bhikkhu, mayā saṅkhittena bhāsitassa vitthārena atthaṁ ājānāsī”ti?

“But how do you see the detailed meaning of my brief statement?”

“Rūpaṁ kho, bhante, maññamāno baddho mārassa;

“Sir, when you conceive form you’re bound by Māra.

amaññamāno mutto pāpimato.

Not conceiving, you’re free from the Wicked One.

Vedanaṁ

When you conceive feeling …

saññaṁ

perception …

saṅkhāre

choices …

viññāṇaṁ maññamāno baddho mārassa;

consciousness, you’re bound by Māra.

amaññamāno mutto pāpimato.

Not conceiving, you’re free from the Wicked One.

Imassa khvāhaṁ, bhante, bhagavatā saṅkhittena bhāsitassa evaṁ vitthārena atthaṁ ājānāmī”ti.

That’s how I understand the detailed meaning of the Buddha’s brief statement.”

“Sādhu sādhu, bhikkhu.

“Good, good, mendicant!

Sādhu kho tvaṁ, bhikkhu, mayā saṅkhittena bhāsitassa vitthārena atthaṁ ājānāsi.

It’s good that you understand the detailed meaning of what I’ve said in brief like this.

Rūpaṁ kho, bhikkhu, maññamāno baddho mārassa;

When you conceive form you’re bound by Māra.

amaññamāno mutto pāpimato.

Not conceiving, you’re free from the Wicked One.

Vedanaṁ

When you conceive feeling …

saññaṁ

perception …

saṅkhāre

choices …

viññāṇaṁ maññamāno baddho mārassa;

consciousness, you’re bound by Māra.

amaññamāno mutto pāpimato.

Not conceiving, you’re free from the Wicked One.

Imassa kho, bhikkhu, mayā saṅkhittena bhāsitassa evaṁ vitthārena attho daṭṭhabbo”ti …pe…

This is how to understand the detailed meaning of what I said in brief.” …

aññataro ca pana so bhikkhu arahataṁ ahosīti.

And that mendicant became one of the perfected.

Dutiyaṁ.

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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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