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 22.85 With Yamaka

Ekaṁ samayaṁ āyasmā sāriputto sāvatthiyaṁ viharati jetavane anāthapiṇḍikassa ārāme.

Tena kho pana samayena yamakassa nāma bhikkhuno evarūpaṁ pāpakaṁ diṭṭhigataṁ uppannaṁ hoti: “tathāhaṁ bhagavatā dhammaṁ desitaṁ ājānāmi, yathā khīṇāsavo bhikkhu kāyassa bhedā ucchijjati vinassati, na hoti paraṁ maraṇā”ti.

Assosuṁ kho sambahulā bhikkhū yamakassa kira nāma bhikkhuno evarūpaṁ pāpakaṁ diṭṭhigataṁ uppannaṁ hoti: “tathāhaṁ bhagavatā dhammaṁ desitaṁ ājānāmi, yathā khīṇāsavo bhikkhu kāyassa bhedā ucchijjati vinassati, na hoti paraṁ maraṇā”ti. Atha kho te bhikkhū yenāyasmā yamako tenupasaṅkamiṁsu; upasaṅkamitvā āyasmatā yamakena saddhiṁ sammodiṁsu.

Sammodanīyaṁ kathaṁ sāraṇīyaṁ vītisāretvā ekamantaṁ nisīdiṁsu. Ekamantaṁ nisinnā kho te bhikkhū āyasmantaṁ yamakaṁ etadavocuṁ: “Saccaṁ kira te, āvuso yamaka, evarūpaṁ pāpakaṁ diṭṭhigataṁ uppannaṁ: ‘tathāhaṁ bhagavatā dhammaṁ desitaṁ ājānāmi, yathā khīṇāsavo bhikkhu kāyassa bhedā ucchijjati vinassati, na hoti paraṁ maraṇā’”ti?

“Evaṁ khvāhaṁ, āvuso, bhagavatā dhammaṁ desitaṁ ājānāmi: ‘khīṇāsavo bhikkhu kāyassa bhedā ucchijjati vinassati, na hoti paraṁ maraṇā’”ti.

“Mā, āvuso yamaka, evaṁ avaca, bhagavantaṁ abbhācikkhi. Na hi sādhu bhagavato abbhācikkhanaṁ. Na hi bhagavā evaṁ vadeyya: ‘khīṇāsavo bhikkhu kāyassa bhedā ucchijjati vinassati, na hoti paraṁ maraṇā’”ti. Evampi kho āyasmā yamako tehi bhikkhūhi vuccamāno tatheva taṁ pāpakaṁ diṭṭhigataṁ thāmasā parāmāsā abhinivissa voharati: “tathāhaṁ bhagavatā dhammaṁ desitaṁ ājānāmi, yathā khīṇāsavo bhikkhu kāyassa bhedā ucchijjati vinassati, na hoti paraṁ maraṇā”ti.

Yato kho te bhikkhū nāsakkhiṁsu āyasmantaṁ yamakaṁ etasmā pāpakā diṭṭhigatā vivecetuṁ, atha kho te bhikkhū uṭṭhāyāsanā yenāyasmā sāriputto tenupasaṅkamiṁsu; upasaṅkamitvā āyasmantaṁ sāriputtaṁ etadavocuṁ: “yamakassa nāma, āvuso sāriputta, bhikkhuno evarūpaṁ pāpakaṁ diṭṭhigataṁ uppannaṁ: ‘tathāhaṁ bhagavatā dhammaṁ desitaṁ ājānāmi yathā khīṇāsavo bhikkhu kāyassa bhedā ucchijjati vinassati, na hoti paraṁ maraṇā’ti. Sādhāyasmā sāriputto yena yamako bhikkhu tenupasaṅkamatu anukampaṁ upādāyā”ti. Adhivāsesi kho āyasmā sāriputto tuṇhībhāvena.

Atha kho āyasmā sāriputto sāyanhasamayaṁ paṭisallānā vuṭṭhito yenāyasmā yamako tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā āyasmatā yamakena saddhiṁ sammodi …pe… ekamantaṁ nisinno kho āyasmā sāriputto āyasmantaṁ yamakaṁ etadavoca:

“Saccaṁ kira te, āvuso yamaka, evarūpaṁ pāpakaṁ diṭṭhigataṁ uppannaṁ: ‘tathāhaṁ bhagavatā dhammaṁ desitaṁ ājānāmi, yathā khīṇāsavo bhikkhu kāyassa bhedā ucchijjati vinassati, na hoti paraṁ maraṇā’”ti?

“Evaṁ khvāhaṁ, āvuso, bhagavatā dhammaṁ desitaṁ ājānāmi, yathā khīṇāsavo bhikkhu kāyassa bhedā ucchijjati vinassati, na hoti paraṁ maraṇā”ti.

“Taṁ kiṁ maññasi, āvuso yamaka, rūpaṁ niccaṁ aniccaṁ vā”ti?

“Aniccaṁ, āvuso”.

“Vedanā niccāsaññāsaṅkhārāviññāṇaṁ niccaṁ aniccaṁ vā”ti?

“Aniccaṁ, āvuso”.

“Tasmātiha …pe… evaṁ passaṁ …pe… nāparaṁ itthattāyāti pajānāti.

Taṁ kiṁ maññasi, āvuso yamaka, rūpaṁ tathāgatoti samanupassasī”ti?

“No hetaṁ, āvuso”

“vedanaṁ tathāgatoti samanupassasī”ti? “No hetaṁ, āvuso”“saññaṁsaṅkhāreviññāṇaṁ tathāgatoti samanupassasī”ti?

“No hetaṁ, āvuso”.

“Taṁ kiṁ maññasi, āvuso yamaka, rūpasmiṁ tathāgatoti samanupassasī”ti?

“No hetaṁ, āvuso”.

“Aññatra rūpā tathāgatoti samanupassasī”ti?

“No hetaṁ, āvuso”.

“Vedanāyaaññatra vedanāya …pe… saññāyaaññatra saññāyasaṅkhāresuaññatra saṅkhārehiviññāṇasmiṁ tathāgatoti samanupassasī”ti?

“No hetaṁ, āvuso”.

“Aññatra viññāṇā tathāgatoti samanupassasī”ti?

“No hetaṁ, āvuso”.

“Taṁ kiṁ maññasi, āvuso yamaka, rūpaṁvedanaṁsaññaṁsaṅkhāreviññāṇaṁ tathāgatoti samanupassasī”ti?

“No hetaṁ, āvuso”.

“Taṁ kiṁ maññasi, āvuso yamaka, ayaṁ so arūpīavedanoasaññīasaṅkhāroaviññāṇo tathāgatoti samanupassasī”ti?

“No hetaṁ, āvuso”.

“Ettha ca te, āvuso yamaka, diṭṭheva dhamme saccato thetato tathāgate anupalabbhiyamāne, kallaṁ nu te taṁ veyyākaraṇaṁ: ‘tathāhaṁ bhagavatā dhammaṁ desitaṁ ājānāmi, yathā khīṇāsavo bhikkhu kāyassa bhedā ucchijjati vinassati, na hoti paraṁ maraṇā’”ti?

“Ahu kho me taṁ, āvuso sāriputta, pubbe aviddasuno pāpakaṁ diṭṭhigataṁ; idañca panāyasmato sāriputtassa dhammadesanaṁ sutvā tañceva pāpakaṁ diṭṭhigataṁ pahīnaṁ, dhammo ca me abhisamito”ti.

“Sace taṁ, āvuso yamaka, evaṁ puccheyyuṁ: ‘yo so, āvuso yamaka, bhikkhu arahaṁ khīṇāsavo so kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā kiṁ hotī’ti? Evaṁ puṭṭho tvaṁ, āvuso yamaka, kinti byākareyyāsī”ti?

“Sace maṁ, āvuso, evaṁ puccheyyuṁ: ‘yo so, āvuso yamaka, bhikkhu arahaṁ khīṇāsavo so kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā kiṁ hotī’ti? Evaṁ puṭṭhohaṁ, āvuso, evaṁ byākareyyaṁ: ‘rūpaṁ kho, āvuso, aniccaṁ. Yadaniccaṁ taṁ dukkhaṁ; yaṁ dukkhaṁ taṁ niruddhaṁ tadatthaṅgataṁ.

Vedanāsaññāsaṅkhārāviññāṇaṁ aniccaṁ. Yadaniccaṁ taṁ dukkhaṁ; yaṁ dukkhaṁ taṁ niruddhaṁ tadatthaṅgatan’ti. Evaṁ puṭṭhohaṁ, āvuso, evaṁ byākareyyan”ti.

“Sādhu sādhu, āvuso yamaka. Tena hāvuso yamaka, upamaṁ te karissāmi etasseva atthassa bhiyyoso mattāya ñāṇāya. Seyyathāpi, āvuso yamaka, gahapati gahapatiputto aḍḍho mahaddhano mahābhogo; so ca ārakkhasampanno. Tassa kocideva puriso uppajjeyya anatthakāmo ahitakāmo ayogakkhemakāmo jīvitā voropetukāmo. Tassa evamassa: ‘ayaṁ kho gahapati gahapatiputto aḍḍho mahaddhano mahābhogo; so ca ārakkhasampanno; nāyaṁ sukaro pasayha jīvitā voropetuṁ. Yannūnāhaṁ anupakhajja jīvitā voropeyyan’ti. So taṁ gahapatiṁ gahapatiputtaṁ upasaṅkamitvā evaṁ vadeyya: ‘upaṭṭhaheyyaṁ taṁ, bhante’ti. Tamenaṁ so gahapati gahapatiputto upaṭṭhāpeyya. So upaṭṭhaheyya pubbuṭṭhāyī pacchānipātī kiṅkārapaṭissāvī manāpacārī piyavādī. Tassa so gahapati gahapatiputto mittatopi naṁ saddaheyya; suhajjatopi naṁ saddaheyya; tasmiñca vissāsaṁ āpajjeyya. Yadā kho, āvuso, tassa purisassa evamassa: ‘saṁvissattho kho myāyaṁ gahapati gahapatiputto vā’ti, atha naṁ rahogataṁ viditvā tiṇhena satthena jīvitā voropeyya.

Taṁ kiṁ maññasi, āvuso yamaka, yadā hi so puriso amuṁ gahapatiṁ gahapatiputtaṁ upasaṅkamitvā evaṁ āha: ‘upaṭṭhaheyyaṁ taṁ, bhante’ti, tadāpi so vadhakova. Vadhakañca pana santaṁ na aññāsi: ‘vadhako me’ti. Yadāpi so upaṭṭhahati pubbuṭṭhāyī pacchānipātī kiṅkārapaṭissāvī manāpacārī piyavādī, tadāpi so vadhakova. Vadhakañca pana santaṁ na aññāsi: ‘vadhako me’ti. Yadāpi naṁ rahogataṁ viditvā tiṇhena satthena jīvitā voropeti, tadāpi so vadhakova. Vadhakañca pana santaṁ na aññāsi: ‘vadhako me’”ti.

“Evamāvuso”ti.

“Evameva kho, āvuso, assutavā puthujjano ariyānaṁ adassāvī ariyadhammassa akovido ariyadhamme avinīto, sappurisānaṁ adassāvī sappurisadhammassa akovido sappurisadhamme avinīto rūpaṁ attato samanupassati, rūpavantaṁ attānaṁ; attani rūpaṁ, rūpasmiṁ attānaṁ. Vedanaṁsaññaṁsaṅkhāreviññāṇaṁ attato samanupassati, viññāṇavantaṁ attānaṁ; attani viññāṇaṁ, viññāṇasmiṁ attānaṁ.

So aniccaṁ rūpaṁ ‘aniccaṁ rūpan’ti yathābhūtaṁ nappajānāti. Aniccaṁ vedanaṁ ‘aniccā vedanā’ti yathābhūtaṁ nappajānāti. Aniccaṁ saññaṁ ‘aniccā saññā’ti yathābhūtaṁ nappajānāti. Anicce saṅkhāre ‘aniccā saṅkhārā’ti yathābhūtaṁ nappajānāti. Aniccaṁ viññāṇaṁ ‘aniccaṁ viññāṇan’ti yathābhūtaṁ nappajānāti.

Dukkhaṁ rūpaṁ ‘dukkhaṁ rūpan’ti yathābhūtaṁ nappajānāti. Dukkhaṁ vedanaṁdukkhaṁ saññaṁdukkhe saṅkhāredukkhaṁ viññāṇaṁ ‘dukkhaṁ viññāṇan’ti yathābhūtaṁ nappajānāti.

Anattaṁ rūpaṁ ‘anattā rūpan’ti yathābhūtaṁ nappajānāti. Anattaṁ vedanaṁanattaṁ saññaṁanatte saṅkhāreanattaṁ viññāṇaṁ ‘anattaṁ viññāṇan’ti yathābhūtaṁ nappajānāti.

Saṅkhataṁ rūpaṁ ‘saṅkhataṁ rūpan’ti yathābhūtaṁ nappajānāti. Saṅkhataṁ vedanaṁsaṅkhataṁ saññaṁsaṅkhate saṅkhāresaṅkhataṁ viññāṇaṁ ‘saṅkhataṁ viññāṇan’ti yathābhūtaṁ nappajānāti.

Vadhakaṁ rūpaṁ ‘vadhakaṁ rūpan’ti yathābhūtaṁ nappajānāti. Vadhakaṁ vedanaṁ ‘vadhakā vedanā’tivadhakaṁ saññaṁ ‘vadhakā saññā’tivadhake saṅkhāre ‘vadhakā saṅkhārā’ti yathābhūtaṁ nappajānāti. Vadhakaṁ viññāṇaṁ ‘vadhakaṁ viññāṇan’ti yathābhūtaṁ nappajānāti.

So rūpaṁ upeti upādiyati adhiṭṭhāti ‘attā me’ti. Vedanaṁsaññaṁsaṅkhāreviññāṇaṁ upeti upādiyati adhiṭṭhāti ‘attā me’ti. Tassime pañcupādānakkhandhā upetā upādinnā dīgharattaṁ ahitāya dukkhāya saṁvattanti.

Sutavā ca kho, āvuso, ariyasāvako ariyānaṁ dassāvī …pe… sappurisadhamme suvinīto na rūpaṁ attato samanupassati, na rūpavantaṁ attānaṁ; na attani rūpaṁ, na rūpasmiṁ attānaṁ. Na vedanaṁna saññaṁna saṅkhārena viññāṇaṁ attato samanupassati, na viññāṇavantaṁ attānaṁ; na attani viññāṇaṁ, na viññāṇasmiṁ attānaṁ.

So aniccaṁ rūpaṁ ‘aniccaṁ rūpan’ti yathābhūtaṁ pajānāti. Aniccaṁ vedanaṁaniccaṁ saññaṁanicce saṅkhāreaniccaṁ viññāṇaṁ ‘aniccaṁ viññāṇan’ti yathābhūtaṁ pajānāti.

Dukkhaṁ rūpaṁ ‘dukkhaṁ rūpan’ti yathābhūtaṁ pajānāti. Dukkhaṁ vedanaṁdukkhaṁ saññaṁdukkhe saṅkhāredukkhaṁ viññāṇaṁ ‘dukkhaṁ viññāṇan’ti yathābhūtaṁ pajānāti.

Anattaṁ rūpaṁ ‘anattā rūpan’ti yathābhūtaṁ pajānāti. Anattaṁ vedanaṁanattaṁ saññaṁanatte saṅkhāreanattaṁ viññāṇaṁ ‘anattā viññāṇan’ti yathābhūtaṁ pajānāti.

Saṅkhataṁ rūpaṁ ‘saṅkhataṁ rūpan’ti yathābhūtaṁ pajānāti. Saṅkhataṁ vedanaṁsaṅkhataṁ saññaṁsaṅkhate saṅkhāresaṅkhataṁ viññāṇaṁ ‘saṅkhataṁ viññāṇan’ti yathābhūtaṁ pajānāti.

Vadhakaṁ rūpaṁ ‘vadhakaṁ rūpan’ti yathābhūtaṁ pajānāti. Vadhakaṁ vedanaṁvadhakaṁ saññaṁvadhake saṅkhāre ‘vadhakā saṅkhārā’ti yathābhūtaṁ pajānāti. Vadhakaṁ viññāṇaṁ ‘vadhakaṁ viññāṇan’ti yathābhūtaṁ pajānāti.

So rūpaṁ na upeti, na upādiyati, nādhiṭṭhāti: ‘attā me’ti. Vedanaṁsaññaṁsaṅkhāreviññāṇaṁ na upeti, na upādiyati, nādhiṭṭhāti: ‘attā me’ti. Tassime pañcupādānakkhandhā anupetā anupādinnā dīgharattaṁ hitāya sukhāya saṁvattantī”ti.

“Evametaṁ, āvuso sāriputta, hoti yesaṁ āyasmantānaṁ tādisā sabrahmacārino anukampakā atthakāmā ovādakā anusāsakā. Idañca pana me āyasmato sāriputtassa dhammadesanaṁ sutvā anupādāya āsavehi cittaṁ vimuttan”ti.

Tatiyaṁ.

Reference Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato (CC0).

Ekaṁ samayaṁ āyasmā sāriputto sāvatthiyaṁ viharati jetavane anāthapiṇḍikassa ārāme.

At one time Venerable Sāriputta was staying near Sāvatthī in Jeta’s Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s monastery.

Tena kho pana samayena yamakassa nāma bhikkhuno evarūpaṁ pāpakaṁ diṭṭhigataṁ uppannaṁ hoti:

Now at that time a mendicant called Yamaka had the following harmful misconception:

“tathāhaṁ bhagavatā dhammaṁ desitaṁ ājānāmi, yathā khīṇāsavo bhikkhu kāyassa bhedā ucchijjati vinassati, na hoti paraṁ maraṇā”ti.

“As I understand the Buddha’s teaching, a mendicant who has ended the defilements is annihilated and destroyed when their body breaks up, and doesn’t exist after death.”

Assosuṁ kho sambahulā bhikkhū yamakassa kira nāma bhikkhuno evarūpaṁ pāpakaṁ diṭṭhigataṁ uppannaṁ hoti:

Several mendicants heard this rumour.

“tathāhaṁ bhagavatā dhammaṁ desitaṁ ājānāmi, yathā khīṇāsavo bhikkhu kāyassa bhedā ucchijjati vinassati, na hoti paraṁ maraṇā”ti.

Atha kho te bhikkhū yenāyasmā yamako tenupasaṅkamiṁsu; upasaṅkamitvā āyasmatā yamakena saddhiṁ sammodiṁsu.

They went to Yamaka and exchanged greetings with him.

Sammodanīyaṁ kathaṁ sāraṇīyaṁ vītisāretvā ekamantaṁ nisīdiṁsu. Ekamantaṁ nisinnā kho te bhikkhū āyasmantaṁ yamakaṁ etadavocuṁ:

When the greetings and polite conversation were over, they sat down to one side and said to him,

“Saccaṁ kira te, āvuso yamaka, evarūpaṁ pāpakaṁ diṭṭhigataṁ uppannaṁ:

“Is it really true, Reverend Yamaka, that you have such a harmful misconception:

‘tathāhaṁ bhagavatā dhammaṁ desitaṁ ājānāmi, yathā khīṇāsavo bhikkhu kāyassa bhedā ucchijjati vinassati, na hoti paraṁ maraṇā’”ti?

‘As I understand the Buddha’s teaching, a mendicant who has ended the defilements is annihilated and destroyed when their body breaks up, and doesn’t exist after death’?”

“Evaṁ khvāhaṁ, āvuso, bhagavatā dhammaṁ desitaṁ ājānāmi:

“Yes, reverends, that’s how I understand the Buddha’s teaching.”

‘khīṇāsavo bhikkhu kāyassa bhedā ucchijjati vinassati, na hoti paraṁ maraṇā’”ti.

“Mā, āvuso yamaka, evaṁ avaca, bhagavantaṁ abbhācikkhi. Na hi sādhu bhagavato abbhācikkhanaṁ. Na hi bhagavā evaṁ vadeyya:

“Don’t say that, Yamaka! Don’t misrepresent the Buddha, for misrepresentation of the Buddha is not good. And the Buddha would not say that.”

‘khīṇāsavo bhikkhu kāyassa bhedā ucchijjati vinassati, na hoti paraṁ maraṇā’”ti.

Evampi kho āyasmā yamako tehi bhikkhūhi vuccamāno tatheva taṁ pāpakaṁ diṭṭhigataṁ thāmasā parāmāsā abhinivissa voharati:

But even though admonished by those mendicants, Yamaka obstinately stuck to that misconception and insisted on stating it.

“tathāhaṁ bhagavatā dhammaṁ desitaṁ ājānāmi, yathā khīṇāsavo bhikkhu kāyassa bhedā ucchijjati vinassati, na hoti paraṁ maraṇā”ti.

Yato kho te bhikkhū nāsakkhiṁsu āyasmantaṁ yamakaṁ etasmā pāpakā diṭṭhigatā vivecetuṁ, atha kho te bhikkhū uṭṭhāyāsanā yenāyasmā sāriputto tenupasaṅkamiṁsu; upasaṅkamitvā āyasmantaṁ sāriputtaṁ etadavocuṁ:

When those mendicants were unable to dissuade Yamaka from that misconception, they rose from their seats and went to see Venerable Sāriputta. They told him what had happened, and said,

“yamakassa nāma, āvuso sāriputta, bhikkhuno evarūpaṁ pāpakaṁ diṭṭhigataṁ uppannaṁ:

‘tathāhaṁ bhagavatā dhammaṁ desitaṁ ājānāmi yathā khīṇāsavo bhikkhu kāyassa bhedā ucchijjati vinassati, na hoti paraṁ maraṇā’ti.

Sādhāyasmā sāriputto yena yamako bhikkhu tenupasaṅkamatu anukampaṁ upādāyā”ti.

“May Venerable Sāriputta please go to the mendicant Yamaka out of sympathy.”

Adhivāsesi kho āyasmā sāriputto tuṇhībhāvena.

Sāriputta consented with silence.

Atha kho āyasmā sāriputto sāyanhasamayaṁ paṭisallānā vuṭṭhito yenāyasmā yamako tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā āyasmatā yamakena saddhiṁ sammodi …pe… ekamantaṁ nisinno kho āyasmā sāriputto āyasmantaṁ yamakaṁ etadavoca:

Then in the late afternoon, Venerable Sāriputta came out of retreat, went to Venerable Yamaka and exchanged greetings with him. Seated to one side he said to Yamaka:

“Saccaṁ kira te, āvuso yamaka, evarūpaṁ pāpakaṁ diṭṭhigataṁ uppannaṁ:

“Is it really true, Reverend Yamaka, that you have such a harmful misconception:

‘tathāhaṁ bhagavatā dhammaṁ desitaṁ ājānāmi, yathā khīṇāsavo bhikkhu kāyassa bhedā ucchijjati vinassati, na hoti paraṁ maraṇā’”ti?

‘As I understand the Buddha’s teaching, a mendicant who has ended the defilements is annihilated and destroyed when their body breaks up, and doesn’t exist after death’?”

“Evaṁ khvāhaṁ, āvuso, bhagavatā dhammaṁ desitaṁ ājānāmi, yathā khīṇāsavo bhikkhu kāyassa bhedā ucchijjati vinassati, na hoti paraṁ maraṇā”ti.

“Yes, reverend, that’s how I understand the Buddha’s teaching.”

“Taṁ kiṁ maññasi, āvuso yamaka,

“What do you think, Yamaka?

rūpaṁ niccaṁ aniccaṁ vā”ti?

Is form permanent or impermanent?”

“Aniccaṁ, āvuso”.

“Impermanent, reverend.”

“Vedanā niccā

“Is feeling …” …

saññā

“… perception …” …

saṅkhārā

“… choices …” …

viññāṇaṁ niccaṁ aniccaṁ vā”ti?

“… consciousness permanent or impermanent?”

“Aniccaṁ, āvuso”.

“Impermanent, reverend.”

“Tasmātiha …pe…

“So you should truly see …

evaṁ passaṁ …pe…

Seeing this …

nāparaṁ itthattāyāti pajānāti.

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

Taṁ kiṁ maññasi, āvuso yamaka,

What do you think, Reverend Yamaka?

rūpaṁ tathāgatoti samanupassasī”ti?

Do you consider that the label ‘realized one’ applies to form?”

“No hetaṁ, āvuso”

“No, reverend.”

“vedanaṁ tathāgatoti samanupassasī”ti?

“Do you consider that the label ‘realized one’ applies to feeling?” …

“No hetaṁ, āvuso”

“saññaṁ

“… perception?” …

saṅkhāre

“… choices?” …

viññāṇaṁ tathāgatoti samanupassasī”ti?

“ … consciousness?”

“No hetaṁ, āvuso”.

“No, reverend.”

“Taṁ kiṁ maññasi, āvuso yamaka,

“What do you think, Reverend Yamaka?

rūpasmiṁ tathāgatoti samanupassasī”ti?

Do you consider that the label ‘realized one’ applies in relation to form?”

“No hetaṁ, āvuso”.

“No, reverend.”

“Aññatra rūpā tathāgatoti samanupassasī”ti?

“Do you consider that the label ‘realized one’ applies apart from form?”

“No hetaṁ, āvuso”.

“No, reverend.”

“Vedanāya

“Do you consider that the label ‘realized one’ applies in relation to feeling?” …

aññatra vedanāya …pe…

“… apart from feeling?” …

saññāya

“… in relation to perception?” …

aññatra saññāya

“… apart from perception?” …

saṅkhāresu

“… in relation to choices?” …

aññatra saṅkhārehi

“… apart from choices?” …

viññāṇasmiṁ tathāgatoti samanupassasī”ti?

“… in relation to consciousness?” …

“No hetaṁ, āvuso”.

“Aññatra viññāṇā tathāgatoti samanupassasī”ti?

“… apart from consciousness?”

“No hetaṁ, āvuso”.

“No, reverend.”

“Taṁ kiṁ maññasi, āvuso yamaka,

“What do you think, Yamaka?

rūpaṁvedanaṁsaññaṁsaṅkhāreviññāṇaṁ tathāgatoti samanupassasī”ti?

Do you consider that the label ‘realized one’ applies to one who has form?” … “… feeling?” … “… perception?” … “… choices?” … “… consciousness?”

“No hetaṁ, āvuso”.

“No, reverend.”

“Taṁ kiṁ maññasi, āvuso yamaka,

“What do you think, Yamaka?

ayaṁ so arūpīavedanoasaññīasaṅkhāroaviññāṇo tathāgatoti samanupassasī”ti?

Do you consider that the label ‘realized one’ applies to that one who is without form?” … “… feeling?” … “… perception?” … “… choices?” … “… consciousness?”

“No hetaṁ, āvuso”.

“No, reverend.”

“Ettha ca te, āvuso yamaka, diṭṭheva dhamme saccato thetato tathāgate anupalabbhiyamāne, kallaṁ nu te taṁ veyyākaraṇaṁ:

“In that case, Reverend Yamaka, since a realized one is not found by you as a genuine fact in this very life, is it cogent for you to declare:

‘tathāhaṁ bhagavatā dhammaṁ desitaṁ ājānāmi, yathā khīṇāsavo bhikkhu kāyassa bhedā ucchijjati vinassati, na hoti paraṁ maraṇā’”ti?

‘As I understand the Buddha’s teaching, a mendicant who has ended the defilements is annihilated and destroyed when their body breaks up, and doesn’t exist after death.’?”

“Ahu kho me taṁ, āvuso sāriputta, pubbe aviddasuno pāpakaṁ diṭṭhigataṁ;

“Reverend Sāriputta, in my ignorance, I used to have that misconception.

idañca panāyasmato sāriputtassa dhammadesanaṁ sutvā tañceva pāpakaṁ diṭṭhigataṁ pahīnaṁ, dhammo ca me abhisamito”ti.

But now that I’ve heard the teaching from Venerable Sāriputta, I’ve given up that misconception, and I’ve comprehended the teaching.”

“Sace taṁ, āvuso yamaka, evaṁ puccheyyuṁ:

“Reverend Yamaka, suppose they were to ask you:

‘yo so, āvuso yamaka, bhikkhu arahaṁ khīṇāsavo so kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā kiṁ hotī’ti?

‘When their body breaks up, after death, what happens to a perfected one, who has ended the defilements?’

Evaṁ puṭṭho tvaṁ, āvuso yamaka, kinti byākareyyāsī”ti?

How would you answer?”

“Sace maṁ, āvuso, evaṁ puccheyyuṁ:

“Reverend, if they were to ask this,

‘yo so, āvuso yamaka, bhikkhu arahaṁ khīṇāsavo so kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā kiṁ hotī’ti?

Evaṁ puṭṭhohaṁ, āvuso, evaṁ byākareyyaṁ:

I’d answer like this:

‘rūpaṁ kho, āvuso, aniccaṁ.

‘Reverend, form is impermanent.

Yadaniccaṁ taṁ dukkhaṁ;

What’s impermanent is suffering.

yaṁ dukkhaṁ taṁ niruddhaṁ tadatthaṅgataṁ.

What’s suffering has ceased and disappeared.

Vedanā

Feeling …

saññā

perception …

saṅkhārā

choices …

viññāṇaṁ aniccaṁ.

consciousness is impermanent.

Yadaniccaṁ taṁ dukkhaṁ;

What’s impermanent is suffering.

yaṁ dukkhaṁ taṁ niruddhaṁ tadatthaṅgatan’ti.

What’s suffering has ceased and disappeared.’

Evaṁ puṭṭhohaṁ, āvuso, evaṁ byākareyyan”ti.

That’s how I’d answer such a question.”

“Sādhu sādhu, āvuso yamaka.

“Good, good, Reverend Yamaka!

Tena hāvuso yamaka, upamaṁ te karissāmi etasseva atthassa bhiyyoso mattāya ñāṇāya.

Well then, I shall give you a simile to make the meaning even clearer.

Seyyathāpi, āvuso yamaka, gahapati gahapatiputto aḍḍho mahaddhano mahābhogo;

Suppose there was a householder or householder’s son who was rich, with a lot of money and great wealth,

so ca ārakkhasampanno.

and a bodyguard for protection.

Tassa kocideva puriso uppajjeyya anatthakāmo ahitakāmo ayogakkhemakāmo jīvitā voropetukāmo.

Then along comes a person who wants to harm, injure, and threaten him, and take his life.

Tassa evamassa:

They’d think:

‘ayaṁ kho gahapati gahapatiputto aḍḍho mahaddhano mahābhogo;

‘This householder or householder’s son is rich, with a lot of money and great wealth,

so ca ārakkhasampanno;

and a bodyguard for protection.

nāyaṁ sukaro pasayha jīvitā voropetuṁ.

It won’t be easy to take his life by force.

Yannūnāhaṁ anupakhajja jīvitā voropeyyan’ti.

Why don’t I get close to him, then take his life?’

So taṁ gahapatiṁ gahapatiputtaṁ upasaṅkamitvā evaṁ vadeyya:

So he goes up to that householder or householder’s son and says:

‘upaṭṭhaheyyaṁ taṁ, bhante’ti.

‘Sir, I would serve you.’

Tamenaṁ so gahapati gahapatiputto upaṭṭhāpeyya.

They would serve that householder or householder’s son.

So upaṭṭhaheyya pubbuṭṭhāyī pacchānipātī kiṅkārapaṭissāvī manāpacārī piyavādī.

They’d get up before him and go to bed after him, and be obliging, behaving nicely and speaking politely.

Tassa so gahapati gahapatiputto mittatopi naṁ saddaheyya;

The householder or householder’s son would consider them as a friend

suhajjatopi naṁ saddaheyya;

and companion,

tasmiñca vissāsaṁ āpajjeyya.

and come to trust them.

Yadā kho, āvuso, tassa purisassa evamassa:

But when that person realizes that

‘saṁvissattho kho myāyaṁ gahapati gahapatiputto vā’ti, atha naṁ rahogataṁ viditvā tiṇhena satthena jīvitā voropeyya.

they’ve gained the trust of the householder or householder’s son, then, when they know he’s alone, they’d take his life with a sharp knife.

Taṁ kiṁ maññasi, āvuso yamaka,

What do you think, Yamaka?

yadā hi so puriso amuṁ gahapatiṁ gahapatiputtaṁ upasaṅkamitvā evaṁ āha:

When that person went to the householder or householder’s son and offered to

‘upaṭṭhaheyyaṁ taṁ, bhante’ti, tadāpi so vadhakova.

serve him, weren’t they a killer then,

Vadhakañca pana santaṁ na aññāsi:

though he didn’t know that

‘vadhako me’ti.

this was his killer?

Yadāpi so upaṭṭhahati pubbuṭṭhāyī pacchānipātī kiṅkārapaṭissāvī manāpacārī piyavādī, tadāpi so vadhakova.

And when they got up before him and went to bed after him, being obliging, behaving nicely and speaking politely, weren’t they a killer then,

Vadhakañca pana santaṁ na aññāsi:

though he didn’t know that

‘vadhako me’ti.

this was his killer?

Yadāpi naṁ rahogataṁ viditvā tiṇhena satthena jīvitā voropeti, tadāpi so vadhakova.

And when, knowing he was alone, they took his life with a sharp knife, weren’t they a killer then,

Vadhakañca pana santaṁ na aññāsi:

though he didn’t know that

‘vadhako me’”ti.

this was his killer?”

“Evamāvuso”ti.

“Yes, reverend.”

“Evameva kho, āvuso, assutavā puthujjano ariyānaṁ adassāvī ariyadhammassa akovido ariyadhamme avinīto, sappurisānaṁ adassāvī sappurisadhammassa akovido sappurisadhamme avinīto

“In the same way, an unlearned ordinary person has not seen the noble ones, and is neither skilled nor trained in the teaching of the noble ones. They’ve not seen true persons, and are neither skilled nor trained in the teaching of the true persons.

rūpaṁ attato samanupassati, rūpavantaṁ attānaṁ; attani rūpaṁ, rūpasmiṁ attānaṁ.

They regard form as self, self as having form, form in self, or self in form.

Vedanaṁ

They regard feeling …

saññaṁ

perception …

saṅkhāre

choices …

viññāṇaṁ attato samanupassati, viññāṇavantaṁ attānaṁ; attani viññāṇaṁ, viññāṇasmiṁ attānaṁ.

They regard consciousness as self, self as having consciousness, consciousness in self, or self in consciousness.

So aniccaṁ rūpaṁ ‘aniccaṁ rūpan’ti yathābhūtaṁ nappajānāti.

They don’t truly understand form—which is impermanent—as impermanent.

Aniccaṁ vedanaṁ ‘aniccā vedanā’ti yathābhūtaṁ nappajānāti.

They don’t truly understand feeling …

Aniccaṁ saññaṁ ‘aniccā saññā’ti yathābhūtaṁ nappajānāti.

perception …

Anicce saṅkhāre ‘aniccā saṅkhārā’ti yathābhūtaṁ nappajānāti.

choices …

Aniccaṁ viññāṇaṁ ‘aniccaṁ viññāṇan’ti yathābhūtaṁ nappajānāti.

consciousness—which is impermanent—as impermanent.

Dukkhaṁ rūpaṁ ‘dukkhaṁ rūpan’ti yathābhūtaṁ nappajānāti.

They don’t truly understand form—which is suffering—as suffering.

Dukkhaṁ vedanaṁ

They don’t truly understand feeling …

dukkhaṁ saññaṁ

perception …

dukkhe saṅkhāre

choices …

dukkhaṁ viññāṇaṁ ‘dukkhaṁ viññāṇan’ti yathābhūtaṁ nappajānāti.

consciousness—which is suffering—as suffering.

Anattaṁ rūpaṁ ‘anattā rūpan’ti yathābhūtaṁ nappajānāti.

They don’t truly understand form—which is not-self—as not-self.

Anattaṁ vedanaṁ

They don’t truly understand feeling …

anattaṁ saññaṁ

perception …

anatte saṅkhāre

choices …

anattaṁ viññāṇaṁ ‘anattaṁ viññāṇan’ti yathābhūtaṁ nappajānāti.

consciousness—which is not-self—as not-self.

Saṅkhataṁ rūpaṁ ‘saṅkhataṁ rūpan’ti yathābhūtaṁ nappajānāti.

They don’t truly understand form—which is conditioned—as conditioned.

Saṅkhataṁ vedanaṁ

They don’t truly understand feeling …

saṅkhataṁ saññaṁ

perception …

saṅkhate saṅkhāre

choices …

saṅkhataṁ viññāṇaṁ ‘saṅkhataṁ viññāṇan’ti yathābhūtaṁ nappajānāti.

consciousness—which is conditioned—as conditioned.

Vadhakaṁ rūpaṁ ‘vadhakaṁ rūpan’ti yathābhūtaṁ nappajānāti.

They don’t truly understand form—which is a killer—as a killer.

Vadhakaṁ vedanaṁ ‘vadhakā vedanā’ti

They don’t truly understand feeling …

vadhakaṁ saññaṁ ‘vadhakā saññā’ti

perception …

vadhake saṅkhāre ‘vadhakā saṅkhārā’ti yathābhūtaṁ nappajānāti.

choices …

Vadhakaṁ viññāṇaṁ ‘vadhakaṁ viññāṇan’ti yathābhūtaṁ nappajānāti.

consciousness—which is a killer—as a killer.

So rūpaṁ upeti upādiyati adhiṭṭhāti ‘attā me’ti.

They’re attracted to form, grasp it, and fixate on the thought, ‘my self’.

Vedanaṁ

They’re attracted to feeling …

saññaṁ

perception …

saṅkhāre

choices …

viññāṇaṁ upeti upādiyati adhiṭṭhāti ‘attā me’ti.

consciousness, grasp it, and fixate on the thought, ‘my self’.

Tassime pañcupādānakkhandhā upetā upādinnā dīgharattaṁ ahitāya dukkhāya saṁvattanti.

And when you’ve gotten involved with and grasped these five grasping aggregates, they lead to your lasting harm and suffering.

Sutavā ca kho, āvuso, ariyasāvako ariyānaṁ dassāvī …pe… sappurisadhamme suvinīto

A learned noble disciple has seen the noble ones, and is skilled and trained in the teaching of the noble ones. They’ve seen true persons, and are skilled and trained in the teaching of the true persons.

na rūpaṁ attato samanupassati, na rūpavantaṁ attānaṁ; na attani rūpaṁ, na rūpasmiṁ attānaṁ.

They don’t regard form as self, self as having form, form in self, or self in form.

Na vedanaṁ

They don’t regard feeling …

na saññaṁ

perception …

na saṅkhāre

choices …

na viññāṇaṁ attato samanupassati, na viññāṇavantaṁ attānaṁ;

consciousness as self, self as having consciousness,

na attani viññāṇaṁ, na viññāṇasmiṁ attānaṁ.

consciousness in self, or self in consciousness.

So aniccaṁ rūpaṁ ‘aniccaṁ rūpan’ti yathābhūtaṁ pajānāti.

They truly understand form—which is impermanent—as impermanent.

Aniccaṁ vedanaṁ

They truly understand feeling …

aniccaṁ saññaṁ

perception …

anicce saṅkhāre

choices …

aniccaṁ viññāṇaṁ ‘aniccaṁ viññāṇan’ti yathābhūtaṁ pajānāti.

consciousness—which is impermanent—as impermanent.

Dukkhaṁ rūpaṁ ‘dukkhaṁ rūpan’ti yathābhūtaṁ pajānāti.

They truly understand form—which is suffering—as suffering.

Dukkhaṁ vedanaṁ

They truly understand feeling …

dukkhaṁ saññaṁ

perception …

dukkhe saṅkhāre

choices …

dukkhaṁ viññāṇaṁ ‘dukkhaṁ viññāṇan’ti yathābhūtaṁ pajānāti.

consciousness—which is suffering—as suffering.

Anattaṁ rūpaṁ ‘anattā rūpan’ti yathābhūtaṁ pajānāti.

They truly understand form—which is not-self—as not-self.

Anattaṁ vedanaṁ

They truly understand feeling …

anattaṁ saññaṁ

perception …

anatte saṅkhāre

choices …

anattaṁ viññāṇaṁ ‘anattā viññāṇan’ti yathābhūtaṁ pajānāti.

consciousness—which is not-self—as not-self.

Saṅkhataṁ rūpaṁ ‘saṅkhataṁ rūpan’ti yathābhūtaṁ pajānāti.

They truly understand form—which is conditioned—as conditioned.

Saṅkhataṁ vedanaṁ

They truly understand feeling …

saṅkhataṁ saññaṁ

perception …

saṅkhate saṅkhāre

choices …

saṅkhataṁ viññāṇaṁ ‘saṅkhataṁ viññāṇan’ti yathābhūtaṁ pajānāti.

consciousness—which is conditioned—as conditioned.

Vadhakaṁ rūpaṁ ‘vadhakaṁ rūpan’ti yathābhūtaṁ pajānāti.

They truly understand form—which is a killer—as a killer.

Vadhakaṁ vedanaṁ

They truly understand feeling …

vadhakaṁ saññaṁ

perception …

vadhake saṅkhāre ‘vadhakā saṅkhārā’ti yathābhūtaṁ pajānāti.

choices …

Vadhakaṁ viññāṇaṁ ‘vadhakaṁ viññāṇan’ti yathābhūtaṁ pajānāti.

consciousness—which is a killer—as a killer.

So rūpaṁ na upeti, na upādiyati, nādhiṭṭhāti: ‘attā me’ti.

Not being attracted to form, they don’t grasp it, and fixate on the thought, ‘my self’.

Vedanaṁ

Not being attracted to feeling …

saññaṁ

perception …

saṅkhāre

choices …

viññāṇaṁ na upeti, na upādiyati, nādhiṭṭhāti: ‘attā me’ti.

consciousness, they don’t grasp it, and fixate on the thought, ‘my self’.

Tassime pañcupādānakkhandhā anupetā anupādinnā dīgharattaṁ hitāya sukhāya saṁvattantī”ti.

And when you’re not attracted to and don’t grasp these five grasping aggregates, they lead to your lasting welfare and happiness.”

“Evametaṁ, āvuso sāriputta, hoti yesaṁ āyasmantānaṁ tādisā sabrahmacārino anukampakā atthakāmā ovādakā anusāsakā.

“Reverend Sāriputta, this is how it is when you have such venerables as spiritual companions to advise and instruct you out of kindness and sympathy.

Idañca pana me āyasmato sāriputtassa dhammadesanaṁ sutvā anupādāya āsavehi cittaṁ vimuttan”ti.

And after hearing this teaching by Venerable Sāriputta, my mind is freed from the defilements by not grasping.”

Tatiyaṁ.

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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Harm

Harm

Intention or action that causes injury or suffering to oneself or others. It arises from aversion and heedlessness and destroys trust and safety. The opposite of non-harm, it obscures compassion and leads to regret.

Also known as: injury causing behavior, destructiveness, bad, evil
Pāli: pāpaka
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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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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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Tame

Tame

The quality of a mind that has been trained and disciplined, no longer wild or controlled by passions. Like a tamed thoroughbred, it is pliable, responsive, and fit for work.

Also known as: trained, mastered, subdued
Pāli: danta, dama
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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