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

SN 35.159 Focus, the Exterior, and the End of Relishing

“Rūpe, bhikkhave, yoniso manasi karotha, rūpāniccatañca yathābhūtaṁ samanupassatha. Rūpe, bhikkhave, bhikkhu yoniso manasikaronto, rūpāniccatañca yathābhūtaṁ samanupassanto rūpesupi nibbindati. Nandikkhayā rāgakkhayo; rāgakkhayā nandikkhayo. Nandirāgakkhayā cittaṁ suvimuttanti vuccati.

Saddegandherasephoṭṭhabbedhamme, bhikkhave, yoniso manasi karotha, dhammāniccatañca yathābhūtaṁ samanupassatha. Dhamme, bhikkhave, bhikkhu yoniso manasikaronto, dhammāniccatañca yathābhūtaṁ samanupassanto dhammesupi nibbindati. Nandikkhayā rāgakkhayo; rāgakkhayā nandikkhayo. Nandirāgakkhayā cittaṁ suvimuttanti vuccatī”ti.

Catutthaṁ.

Reference Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato (CC0).

“Rūpe, bhikkhave, yoniso manasi karotha, rūpāniccatañca yathābhūtaṁ samanupassatha.

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

Rūpe, bhikkhave, bhikkhu yoniso manasikaronto, rūpāniccatañca yathābhūtaṁ samanupassanto rūpesupi nibbindati.

When a mendicant does this, they grow disillusioned with sights.

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.

Sadde

Rationally apply the mind to sounds …

gandhe

smells …

rase

tastes …

phoṭṭhabbe

touches …

dhamme, bhikkhave, yoniso manasi karotha, dhammāniccatañca yathābhūtaṁ samanupassatha.

ideas. Truly see the impermanence of ideas.

Dhamme, bhikkhave, bhikkhu yoniso manasikaronto, dhammāniccatañca yathābhūtaṁ samanupassanto dhammesupi nibbindati.

When a mendicant does this, they grow disillusioned with ideas.

Nandikkhayā rāgakkhayo;

When relishing ends, greed ends.

rāgakkhayā nandikkhayo.

When greed ends, relishing ends.

Nandirāgakkhayā cittaṁ suvimuttanti vuccatī”ti.

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

Catutthaṁ.

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