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

SN 22.93 A River

Sāvatthinidānaṁ.

“Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, nadī pabbateyyā ohārinī dūraṅgamā sīghasotā. Tassā ubhosu tīresu kāsā cepi jātā assu, te naṁ ajjholambeyyuṁ; kusā cepi jātā assu, te naṁ ajjholambeyyuṁ; pabbajā cepi jātā assu, te naṁ ajjholambeyyuṁ; bīraṇā cepi jātā assu, te naṁ ajjholambeyyuṁ; rukkhā cepi jātā assu, te naṁ ajjholambeyyuṁ. Tassā puriso sotena vuyhamāno kāse cepi gaṇheyya, te palujjeyyuṁ. So tatonidānaṁ anayabyasanaṁ āpajjeyya. Kuse cepi gaṇheyya, pabbaje cepi gaṇheyya, bīraṇe cepi gaṇheyya, rukkhe cepi gaṇheyya, te palujjeyyuṁ. So tatonidānaṁ anayabyasanaṁ āpajjeyya.

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

rūpaṁ attato samanupassati, rūpavantaṁ attānaṁ; attani rūpaṁ, rūpasmiṁ attānaṁ. Tassa taṁ rūpaṁ palujjati. So tatonidānaṁ anayabyasanaṁ āpajjati. Vedanaṁsaññaṁsaṅkhāreviññāṇaṁ attato samanupassati, viññāṇavantaṁ attānaṁ; attani viññāṇaṁ, viññāṇasmiṁ attānaṁ. Tassa taṁ viññāṇaṁ palujjati. So tatonidānaṁ anayabyasanaṁ āpajjati.

Taṁ kiṁ maññatha, bhikkhave, rūpaṁ niccaṁ aniccaṁ vā”ti?

“Aniccaṁ, bhante”. …pe…

“Vedanāsaññāsaṅkhārāviññāṇaṁ niccaṁ aniccaṁ vā”ti?

“Aniccaṁ, bhante”.

“Tasmātiha …pe… evaṁ passaṁ …pe… nāparaṁ itthattāyāti pajānātī”ti.

Paṭhamaṁ.

Reference Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato (CC0).

Sāvatthinidānaṁ.

At Sāvatthī.

“Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, nadī pabbateyyā ohārinī dūraṅgamā sīghasotā. Tassā ubhosu tīresu kāsā cepi jātā assu, te naṁ ajjholambeyyuṁ; kusā cepi jātā assu, te naṁ ajjholambeyyuṁ; pabbajā cepi jātā assu, te naṁ ajjholambeyyuṁ; bīraṇā cepi jātā assu, te naṁ ajjholambeyyuṁ; rukkhā cepi jātā assu, te naṁ ajjholambeyyuṁ. Tassā puriso sotena vuyhamāno kāse cepi gaṇheyya, te palujjeyyuṁ. So tatonidānaṁ anayabyasanaṁ āpajjeyya. Kuse cepi gaṇheyya, pabbaje cepi gaṇheyya, bīraṇe cepi gaṇheyya, rukkhe cepi gaṇheyya, te palujjeyyuṁ. So tatonidānaṁ anayabyasanaṁ āpajjeyya.

“Suppose, mendicants, there was a mountain river that flowed swiftly, going far, carrying all before it. If wild sugarcane, kusa grass, reeds, vetiver, or trees grew on either bank, they’d overhang the river. And if a person who was being swept along by the current grabbed the wild sugarcane, kusa grass, reeds, vetiver, or trees, it’d fall apart, and they’d come to ruin because of that.

Evameva kho, bhikkhave, 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.

Tassa taṁ rūpaṁ palujjati.

But their form falls apart,

So tatonidānaṁ anayabyasanaṁ āpajjati.

and they come to ruin because of that.

Vedanaṁ

They regard feeling …

saññaṁ

perception …

saṅkhāre

choices …

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

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

Tassa taṁ viññāṇaṁ palujjati.

But their consciousness falls apart,

So tatonidānaṁ anayabyasanaṁ āpajjati.

and they come to ruin because of that.

Taṁ kiṁ maññatha, bhikkhave,

What do you think, mendicants?

rūpaṁ niccaṁ aniccaṁ vā”ti?

Is form permanent or impermanent?”

“Aniccaṁ, bhante”.

“Impermanent, sir.” …

…pe…

“Vedanā

“Is feeling …

saññā

perception …

saṅkhārā

choices …

viññāṇaṁ niccaṁ aniccaṁ vā”ti?

consciousness permanent or impermanent?”

“Aniccaṁ, bhante”.

“Impermanent, sir.”

“Tasmātiha …pe…

“So you should truly see …

evaṁ passaṁ …pe…

Seeing this …

nāparaṁ itthattāyāti pajānātī”ti.

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

Paṭhamaṁ.

Qualities:

Adventurousness

Adventurousness

A restless, thrill-seeking bent of mind that delights in novelty and roaming rather than in restraint. When untrained, it pulls one outward to stimulation and risk, making it hard to settle, listen, or practice steadily.

Also known as: audacious, bold, wild, unrestrained, untamed, with wanderlust
Pāli: adanta
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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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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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Last updated on July 27, 2026