The Buddha teaches on the six sense bases regarding focus, the interior, and the end of relishing, guiding disciples toward discernment of sense experience and release from clinging.

SN 35.158 Focus, the Interior, and the End of Relishing

“Cakkhuṁ, bhikkhave, yoniso manasi karotha, cakkhāniccatañca yathābhūtaṁ samanupassatha. Cakkhuṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhu yoniso manasikaronto, cakkhāniccatañca yathābhūtaṁ samanupassanto cakkhusmimpi nibbindati. Nandikkhayā rāgakkhayo; rāgakkhayā nandikkhayo. Nandirāgakkhayā cittaṁ suvimuttanti vuccati.

Sotaṁ, bhikkhave, yoniso manasi karothaghānaṁjivhaṁ, bhikkhave, yoniso manasi karotha, jivhāniccatañca yathābhūtaṁ samanupassatha. Jivhaṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhu yoniso manasikaronto, jivhāniccatañca yathābhūtaṁ samanupassanto jivhāyapi nibbindati. Nandikkhayā rāgakkhayo; rāgakkhayā nandikkhayo. Nandirāgakkhayā cittaṁ suvimuttanti vuccati. Kāyaṁmanaṁ, bhikkhave, yoniso manasi karotha, manāniccatañca yathābhūtaṁ samanupassatha. Manaṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhu yoniso manasikaronto, manāniccatañca yathābhūtaṁ samanupassanto manasmimpi nibbindati. Nandikkhayā rāgakkhayo; rāgakkhayā nandikkhayo. Nandirāgakkhayā cittaṁ suvimuttanti vuccatī”ti.

Tatiyaṁ.

Reference Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato (CC0).

“Cakkhuṁ, bhikkhave, yoniso manasi karotha, cakkhāniccatañca yathābhūtaṁ samanupassatha.

“Mendicants, rationally apply the mind to the eye. Truly see the impermanence of the eye.

Cakkhuṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhu yoniso manasikaronto, cakkhāniccatañca yathābhūtaṁ samanupassanto cakkhusmimpi nibbindati.

When a mendicant does this, they grow disillusioned with the eye.

Nandikkhayā rāgakkhayo;

When relishing ends, greed ends. When greed ends, relishing ends.

rāgakkhayā nandikkhayo.

Nandirāgakkhayā cittaṁ suvimuttanti vuccati.

When relishing and greed end, the mind is said to be well freed.

Sotaṁ, bhikkhave, yoniso manasi karotha

Rationally apply the mind to the ear …

ghānaṁ

nose …

jivhaṁ, bhikkhave, yoniso manasi karotha, jivhāniccatañca yathābhūtaṁ samanupassatha.

tongue …

Jivhaṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhu yoniso manasikaronto, jivhāniccatañca yathābhūtaṁ samanupassanto jivhāyapi nibbindati.

Nandikkhayā rāgakkhayo;

rāgakkhayā nandikkhayo.

Nandirāgakkhayā cittaṁ suvimuttanti vuccati.

Kāyaṁ

body …

manaṁ, bhikkhave, yoniso manasi karotha, manāniccatañca yathābhūtaṁ samanupassatha.

mind. Truly see the impermanence of the mind.

Manaṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhu yoniso manasikaronto, manāniccatañca yathābhūtaṁ samanupassanto manasmimpi nibbindati.

When a mendicant does this, they grow disillusioned with the mind.

Nandikkhayā rāgakkhayo;

When relishing ends, greed ends. When greed ends, relishing ends.

rāgakkhayā nandikkhayo.

Nandirāgakkhayā cittaṁ suvimuttanti vuccatī”ti.

When relishing and greed end, the mind is said to be well freed.”

Tatiyaṁ.

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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Delight

Delight

A mental quality of relishing and taking pleasure in what is experienced—especially in sensuality or the prospect of continued becoming. When it fastens onto gratification, it nourishes craving and keeps the mind circling around what it wants to experience again.

Also known as: relishing, enjoyment, taking pleasure
Pāli: nandi, ārāmatā
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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