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

SN 35.145 Exterior and Cause Are Not-Self -

“Rūpā, bhikkhave, anattā. Yopi hetu, yopi paccayo rūpānaṁ uppādāya, sopi anattā. Anattasambhūtā, bhikkhave, rūpā kuto attā bhavissanti.

Saddā

gandhā

rasā

phoṭṭhabbā

dhammā anattā. Yopi hetu, yopi paccayo dhammānaṁ uppādāya, sopi anattā. Anattasambhūtā, bhikkhave, dhammā kuto attā bhavissanti.

Evaṁ passaṁ, bhikkhave, sutavā ariyasāvako rūpesupi nibbindati, saddesupigandhesupirasesupiphoṭṭhabbesupidhammesupi nibbindati. Nibbindaṁ virajjati; virāgā vimuccati; vimuttasmiṁ vimuttamiti ñāṇaṁ hoti.

‘Khīṇā jāti, vusitaṁ brahmacariyaṁ, kataṁ karaṇīyaṁ, nāparaṁ itthattāyā’ti pajānātī”ti.

Dvādasamaṁ.

Devadahavaggo catuttho.

Tassuddānaṁ

Devadaho khaṇo rūpā,
dve natumhākameva ca;
Hetunāpi tayo vuttā,
duve ajjhattabāhirāti.

Reference Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato (CC0).

“Rūpā, bhikkhave, anattā.

“Mendicants, sights are not-self.

Yopi hetu, yopi paccayo rūpānaṁ uppādāya, sopi anattā.

The cause and reason that gives rise to sights is also not-self.

Anattasambhūtā, bhikkhave, rūpā kuto attā bhavissanti.

Since sights are produced by what is not-self, how could they be self?

Saddā

Sounds …

gandhā

Smells …

rasā

Tastes …

phoṭṭhabbā

Touches …

dhammā anattā.

Ideas are not-self.

Yopi hetu, yopi paccayo dhammānaṁ uppādāya, sopi anattā.

The cause and reason that gives rise to ideas is also not-self.

Anattasambhūtā, bhikkhave, dhammā kuto attā bhavissanti.

Since ideas are produced by what is not-self, how could they be self?

Evaṁ passaṁ, bhikkhave, sutavā ariyasāvako rūpesupi nibbindati, saddesupigandhesupirasesupiphoṭṭhabbesupidhammesupi nibbindati.

Seeing this …

Nibbindaṁ virajjati; virāgā vimuccati; vimuttasmiṁ vimuttamiti ñāṇaṁ hoti.

Being disillusioned, desire fades away. When desire fades away they’re freed. When they’re freed, they know they’re freed.

‘Khīṇā jāti, vusitaṁ brahmacariyaṁ, kataṁ karaṇīyaṁ, nāparaṁ itthattāyā’ti pajānātī”ti.

They understand: ‘Rebirth is ended, the spiritual journey has been completed, what had to be done has been done, there is nothing further for this place.’”

Dvādasamaṁ.

Devadahavaggo catuttho.

Tassuddānaṁ

Devadaho khaṇo rūpā,

dve natumhākameva ca;

Hetunāpi tayo vuttā,

duve ajjhattabāhirāti.

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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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
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Last updated on July 27, 2026