DiscoverSNSN 35–44SN 35SN 35.198-200

The Buddha presents a repeated teaching on the six internal and external sense bases regarding the exterior as suffering in the three times in this grouped discourse.

SN 35.198-200 The Exterior as Suffering in the Three Times

“Rūpā, bhikkhave, dukkhā atītā anāgatā paccuppannā. Saddā … gandhā … rasā … phoṭṭhabbā … dhammā dukkhā atītā anāgatā paccuppannā.

Evaṁ passaṁ …pe… nāparaṁ itthattāyāti pajānātī”ti.

Reference Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato (CC0).

“Rūpā, bhikkhave, dukkhā atītā anāgatā paccuppannā. Saddā … gandhā … rasā … phoṭṭhabbā … dhammā dukkhā atītā anāgatā paccuppannā.

“Mendicants, in the past … future … present sights, sounds, smells, tastes, touches, and ideas are suffering …”

Evaṁ passaṁ …pe…

nāparaṁ itthattāyāti pajānātī”ti.

Qualities:

Suffering

Suffering

☁️ dark quality

Unpleasantness, discontentment, dissatisfaction, stress, pain, disease, i.e. mild or intense suffering that is inherent in conditioned existence.

Also known as: discomfort, unpleasantness, discontentedness, dissatisfaction, stress, pain, disease, distress, affliction
Pāli: dukkha
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Wisdom

Wisdom

☀️ bright quality

Lived understanding and sound judgment that steers the mind away from suffering, distinct from mere accumulation of facts.

Also known as: (of a person) wise, astute, intelligent, learned, skilled, firm, stable, steadfast, an experiential understanding of the four noble truths
Pāli: paññā, medhā, dhīra, paṇḍita, asammūḷha
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Last updated on July 27, 2026

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