DiscoverSNSN 35–44SN 35SN 35.170

The Buddha teaches on the six sense bases regarding desire and greed for the impermanent interior, guiding disciples toward discernment of sense experience and release from clinging.

SN 35.170 Desire and Greed for the Impermanent Interior

“Yaṁ, bhikkhave, aniccaṁ, tatra vo chandarāgo pahātabbo. Kiñca, bhikkhave, aniccaṁ?

Cakkhu, bhikkhave, aniccaṁ; tatra vo chandarāgo pahātabbo …pe… jivhā aniccā; tatra vo chandarāgo pahātabbo …pe… mano anicco; tatra vo chandarāgo pahātabbo. Yaṁ, bhikkhave, aniccaṁ, tatra vo chandarāgo pahātabbo”ti.

Reference Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato (CC0).

“Yaṁ, bhikkhave, aniccaṁ, tatra vo chandarāgo pahātabbo.

“Mendicants, you should give up desire and greed for what is impermanent.

Kiñca, bhikkhave, aniccaṁ?

And what is impermanent?

Cakkhu, bhikkhave, aniccaṁ;

The eye, ear, nose, tongue, body, and mind are impermanent …”

tatra vo chandarāgo pahātabbo …pe…

jivhā aniccā;

tatra vo chandarāgo pahātabbo …pe…

mano anicco;

tatra vo chandarāgo pahātabbo.

Yaṁ, bhikkhave, aniccaṁ, tatra vo chandarāgo pahātabbo”ti.

Topics & Qualities:

Craving

Craving

☁️ dark quality

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

topic
💠 neutral quality

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

☁️ dark quality

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

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