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

SN 25.8  Rūpataṇhā sutta - Craving for Form

Sāvatthinidānaṁ.

At Sāvatthi.

“Rūpataṇhā, bhikkhave, aniccā vipariṇāmī aññathābhāvī; saddataṇhāgandhataṇhārasataṇhāphoṭṭhabbataṇhādhammataṇhā aniccā vipariṇāmī aññathābhāvī.

“|Craving for form::wanting, yearning, longing for form [rūpataṇhā]||, bhikkhus,::::| is |impermanent::not lasting, transient, unreliable [anicca]|, changing, becoming otherwise; |craving for sound::wanting, yearning, longing for sound [saddataṇhā]| ... |craving for smell::wanting, yearning, longing for smell [gandhataṇhā]| ... |craving for taste::wanting, yearning, longing for taste [rasataṇhā]| ... |craving for touch::wanting, yearning, longing for touch [phoṭṭhabbataṇhā]| ... |craving for mental activity::wanting, yearning, longing for mental phenomena [dhammataṇhā]| 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.”

Qualities:

Craving

Craving

A driving ‘thirst’ that reaches out toward experiences, identities, or outcomes as the place to find satisfaction—“if only I had that.” It spins stories of lack, binds the mind to becoming, and invariably leads to suffering.

Also known as: wanting, yearning, longing, lit. thirst
Pāli: taṇha, abhijjhā
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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