The Buddha teaches on the six sense bases regarding the exterior as not-self in the three times, guiding disciples toward discernment of sense experience and release from clinging.

SN 35.12 The Exterior as Not-Self in the Three Times -

“Rūpā, bhikkhave, anattā atītānāgatā; ko pana vādo paccuppannānaṁ.

Evaṁ passaṁ, bhikkhave, sutavā ariyasāvako atītesu rūpesu anapekkho hoti; anāgate rūpe nābhinandati; paccuppannānaṁ rūpānaṁ nibbidāya virāgāya nirodhāya paṭipanno hoti. Saddāgandhārasāphoṭṭhabbādhammā anattā atītānāgatā; ko pana vādo paccuppannānaṁ.

Evaṁ passaṁ, bhikkhave, sutavā ariyasāvako atītesu dhammesu anapekkho hoti; anāgate dhamme nābhinandati; paccuppannānaṁ dhammānaṁ nibbidāya virāgāya nirodhāya paṭipanno hotī”ti.

Dvādasamaṁ.

Aniccavaggo paṭhamo.

Tassuddānaṁ

Aniccaṁ dukkhaṁ anattā ca,
tayo ajjhattabāhirā;
Yadaniccena tayo vuttā,
te te ajjhattabāhirāti.

Reference Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato (CC0).

“Rūpā, bhikkhave, anattā atītānāgatā;

“Mendicants, sights of the past and future are not-self,

ko pana vādo paccuppannānaṁ.

let alone the present. …”

Evaṁ passaṁ, bhikkhave, sutavā ariyasāvako atītesu rūpesu anapekkho hoti;

anāgate rūpe nābhinandati;

paccuppannānaṁ rūpānaṁ nibbidāya virāgāya nirodhāya paṭipanno hoti.

Saddā

gandhā

rasā

phoṭṭhabbā

dhammā anattā atītānāgatā;

ko pana vādo paccuppannānaṁ.

Evaṁ passaṁ, bhikkhave, sutavā ariyasāvako atītesu dhammesu anapekkho hoti;

anāgate dhamme nābhinandati;

paccuppannānaṁ dhammānaṁ nibbidāya virāgāya nirodhāya paṭipanno hotī”ti.

Dvādasamaṁ.

Aniccavaggo paṭhamo.

Tassuddānaṁ

Aniccaṁ dukkhaṁ anattā ca,

tayo ajjhattabāhirā;

Yadaniccena tayo vuttā,

te te ajjhattabāhirāti.

Qualities:

Wisdom

Wisdom

Lived understanding and sound judgment that steers the mind away from suffering, distinct from mere accumulation of facts.

Also known as: (of a person) wise, astute, intelligent, learned, skilled, firm, stable, steadfast, an experiential understanding of the four noble truths
Pāli: paññā, medhā, dhīra, paṇḍita, asammūḷha
View all discourses →

Last updated on July 27, 2026