Intentions regarding forms, sounds, odors, tastes, tangible objects, and mental objects are impermanent, changing, and becoming otherwise. Accepting this through faith or wisdom guarantees stream-entry.

SN 25.7  Rūpasañcetanā sutta - Intention regarding Form

Sāvatthinidānaṁ.

At Sāvatthi.

“Rūpasañcetanā, bhikkhave, aniccā vipariṇāmī aññathābhāvī; saddasañcetanāgandhasañcetanārasasañcetanāphoṭṭhabbasañcetanādhammasañcetanā aniccā vipariṇāmī aññathābhāvī.

“|Intention regarding form::thoughts about sights [rūpasañcetanā]||, bhikkhus,::::| is |impermanent::not lasting, transient, unreliable [anicca]|, changing, becoming otherwise; |intention regarding sound::thoughts about sounds [saddasañcetanā]| ... |intention regarding smell::thoughts about smells [gandhasañcetanā]| ... |intention regarding taste::thoughts about flavors [rasasañcetanā]| ... |intention regarding touch::thoughts about tactile sensations [phoṭṭhabbasañcetanā]| ... |intention regarding mental activity::thoughts about mental phenomena [dhammasañcetanā]| is impermanent, changing, becoming otherwise.

Yo, bhikkhave, ime dhamme evaṁ saddahati adhimuccati, ayaṁ vuccati ‘saddhānusārī …pe… sambodhiparāyano’”ti.

Anyone|, bhikkhus,::::| who places faith and conviction in these |phenomena::characteristics, thoughts, mental states, mental qualities [dhammā]| in this way is called a faith-follower ... with awakening as their destination.”

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
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Faith

Faith

Confidence in the Buddha's awakening and the efficacy of the path. It brightens and steadies the mind, removing doubt and inspiring energy toward wholesome practice. True faith rests on clarity and direct experience rather than mere belief.

Also known as: confidence, trust, belief, conviction, self-assurance
Pāli: saddha, pasanna
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Recognition of impermanence

Recognition of impermanence

Perceiving all conditioned things as unstable and transient. This recognition weakens attachment by revealing the continual arising and ceasing of phenomena, turning the mind toward wisdom and release.

Also known as: perception of impermanence, perception of instability, realization of transience
Pāli: aniccasaññā
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Last updated on May 20, 2026