The Buddha teaches on the six sense bases regarding the interior was impermanent in the past, guiding disciples toward discernment of sense experience and release from clinging.

SN 35.186 The Interior Was Impermanent in the Past

“Cakkhu, bhikkhave, aniccaṁ atītaṁ …pe… jivhā aniccā atītā …pe… mano anicco atīto.

Evaṁ passaṁ, bhikkhave, sutavā ariyasāvako cakkhusmimpi nibbindati …pe… jivhāyapi nibbindati …pe… manasmimpi nibbindati. Nibbindaṁ virajjati; virāgā vimuccati; vimuttasmiṁ vimuttamiti ñāṇaṁ hoti.

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

Reference Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato (CC0).

“Cakkhu, bhikkhave, aniccaṁ atītaṁ …pe… jivhā aniccā atītā …pe… mano anicco atīto.

“Mendicants, in the past the eye, ear, nose, tongue, body, and mind were impermanent.

Evaṁ passaṁ, bhikkhave, sutavā ariyasāvako cakkhusmimpi nibbindati …pe… jivhāyapi nibbindati …pe… manasmimpi nibbindati.

Seeing this, a learned noble disciple grows disillusioned with the eye, ear, nose, tongue, body, and mind.

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.’”

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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Learning

Learning

One who has broad learning and retention of the Dhamma, gained through hearing, reciting, and carefully investigating the teachings. Such learning penetrates their meaning through discernment and serves as a strong support for practice.

Also known as: having knowledge, well studied
Pāli: bahussuta, suta
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Last updated on July 27, 2026