The Buddha teaches on the six sense bases regarding things that fuel grasping, guiding disciples toward discernment of sense experience and release from clinging.

SN 35.123 Things That Fuel Grasping

“Upādāniye ca, bhikkhave, dhamme desessāmi upādānañca. Taṁ suṇātha.

Katame ca, bhikkhave, upādāniyā dhammā, katamañca upādānaṁ? Santi, bhikkhave, cakkhuviññeyyā rūpā iṭṭhā kantā manāpā piyarūpā kāmūpasaṁhitā rajanīyā. Ime vuccanti, bhikkhave, upādāniyā dhammā. Yo tattha chandarāgo, taṁ tattha upādānaṁ …pe…

santi, bhikkhave, jivhāviññeyyā rasā …pe… santi, bhikkhave, manoviññeyyā dhammā iṭṭhā kantā manāpā piyarūpā kāmūpasaṁhitā rajanīyā. Ime vuccanti, bhikkhave, upādāniyā dhammā. Yo tattha chandarāgo taṁ tattha upādānan”ti.

Dasamaṁ.

Lokakāmaguṇavaggo dutiyo.

Tassuddānaṁ

Mārapāsena dve vuttā,
lokakāmaguṇena ca;
Sakko pañcasikho ceva,
sāriputto ca rāhulo;
Saṁyojanaṁ upādānaṁ,
vaggo tena pavuccatīti.

Reference Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato (CC0).

“Upādāniye ca, bhikkhave, dhamme desessāmi upādānañca.

“Mendicants, I will teach you the things that fuel grasping, and the grasping.

Taṁ suṇātha.

Listen …

Katame ca, bhikkhave, upādāniyā dhammā, katamañca upādānaṁ?

What are the things that fuel grasping? And what is the grasping?

Santi, bhikkhave, cakkhuviññeyyā rūpā iṭṭhā kantā manāpā piyarūpā kāmūpasaṁhitā rajanīyā.

There are sights known by the eye, which are likable, desirable, agreeable, pleasant, sensual, and arousing.

Ime vuccanti, bhikkhave, upādāniyā dhammā.

These are called the things that fuel grasping.

Yo tattha chandarāgo, taṁ tattha upādānaṁ …pe…

The desire and greed for them is the grasping.

santi, bhikkhave, jivhāviññeyyā rasā …pe…

There are sounds … smells … tastes … touches …

santi, bhikkhave, manoviññeyyā dhammā iṭṭhā kantā manāpā piyarūpā kāmūpasaṁhitā rajanīyā.

ideas known by the mind, which are likable, desirable, agreeable, pleasant, sensual, and arousing.

Ime vuccanti, bhikkhave, upādāniyā dhammā.

These are called the things that fuel grasping.

Yo tattha chandarāgo taṁ tattha upādānan”ti.

The desire and greed for them is the grasping.”

Dasamaṁ.

Lokakāmaguṇavaggo dutiyo.

Tassuddānaṁ

Mārapāsena dve vuttā,

lokakāmaguṇena ca;

Sakko pañcasikho ceva,

sāriputto ca rāhulo;

Saṁyojanaṁ upādānaṁ,

vaggo tena pavuccatīti.

Topics & 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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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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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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Greed

Greed

A grasping mental quality of craving, possessiveness, or lustful wanting that clings to objects or experiences; it fuels attachment and obstructs renunciation and contentment

Also known as: acquisitiveness, avarice, covetousness, rapacity, money grabbing, grabbiness
Pāli: lobha, gedha
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Last updated on July 27, 2026