DiscoverSNSN 35–44SN 35SN 35.177–179

The Buddha presents a repeated teaching on the six internal and external sense bases regarding desire, etc. for the impermanent exterior in this grouped discourse.

PTS 4.150

SN 35.177–179 Desire, Etc. for the Impermanent Exterior

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

Rūpā, bhikkhave, aniccā; tatra vo chando pahātabbo, rāgo pahātabbo, chandarāgo pahātabbo. Saddā aniccā; tatra vo chando pahātabbo, rāgo pahātabbo, chandarāgo pahātabbo. Gandhā aniccā; tatra vo chando pahātabbo, rāgo pahātabbo, chandarāgo pahātabbo. Rasā aniccā; tatra vo chando pahātabbo, rāgo pahātabbo, chandarāgo pahātabbo. Phoṭṭhabbā aniccā; tatra vo chando pahātabbo, rāgo pahātabbo, chandarāgo pahātabbo. Dhammā aniccā; tatra vo chando pahātabbo, rāgo pahātabbo, chandarāgo pahātabbo. Yaṁ, bhikkhave, aniccaṁ tatra vo chando pahātabbo, rāgo pahātabbo, chandarāgo pahātabbo”ti.

Reference Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato (CC0).

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

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

Kiñca, bhikkhave, aniccaṁ?

And what is impermanent?

Rūpā, bhikkhave, aniccā; tatra vo chando pahātabbo, rāgo pahātabbo, chandarāgo pahātabbo.

Sights,

Saddā aniccā; tatra vo chando pahātabbo, rāgo pahātabbo, chandarāgo pahātabbo.

sounds,

Gandhā aniccā; tatra vo chando pahātabbo, rāgo pahātabbo, chandarāgo pahātabbo.

smells,

Rasā aniccā; tatra vo chando pahātabbo, rāgo pahātabbo, chandarāgo pahātabbo.

tastes,

Phoṭṭhabbā aniccā; tatra vo chando pahātabbo, rāgo pahātabbo, chandarāgo pahātabbo.

touches,

Dhammā aniccā; tatra vo chando pahātabbo, rāgo pahātabbo, chandarāgo pahātabbo.

and ideas are impermanent …”

Yaṁ, bhikkhave, aniccaṁ tatra vo chando pahātabbo, rāgo pahātabbo, 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 September 10, 2026

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