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

SN 35.4 The Exterior as Impermanent

“Rūpā, bhikkhave, aniccā. Yadaniccaṁ taṁ dukkhaṁ; yaṁ dukkhaṁ tadanattā. Yadanattā taṁ ‘netaṁ mama, nesohamasmi, na meso attā’ti evametaṁ yathābhūtaṁ sammappaññāya daṭṭhabbaṁ.

Saddāgandhārasāphoṭṭhabbādhammā aniccā. Yadaniccaṁ taṁ dukkhaṁ; yaṁ dukkhaṁ tadanattā. Yadanattā taṁ ‘netaṁ mama, nesohamasmi, na meso attā’ti evametaṁ yathābhūtaṁ sammappaññāya daṭṭhabbaṁ.

Evaṁ passaṁ, bhikkhave, sutavā ariyasāvako rūpesupi nibbindati, saddesupi nibbindati, gandhesupi nibbindati, rasesupi nibbindati, phoṭṭhabbesupi nibbindati, dhammesupi nibbindati. Nibbindaṁ virajjati; virāgā vimuccati; vimuttasmiṁ vimuttamiti ñāṇaṁ hoti.

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

Catutthaṁ.

Reference Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato (CC0).

“Rūpā, bhikkhave, aniccā.

“Mendicants, sights are impermanent.

Yadaniccaṁ taṁ dukkhaṁ;

What’s impermanent is suffering.

yaṁ dukkhaṁ tadanattā.

What’s suffering is not-self.

Yadanattā taṁ ‘netaṁ mama, nesohamasmi, na meso attā’ti evametaṁ yathābhūtaṁ sammappaññāya daṭṭhabbaṁ.

And what’s not-self should be truly seen with right understanding like this: ‘This is not mine, I am not this, this is not my self.’

Saddā

Sounds,

gandhā

smells,

rasā

tastes,

phoṭṭhabbā

touches,

dhammā aniccā.

and ideas are impermanent.

Yadaniccaṁ taṁ dukkhaṁ;

What’s impermanent is suffering.

yaṁ dukkhaṁ tadanattā.

What’s suffering is not-self.

Yadanattā taṁ ‘netaṁ mama, nesohamasmi, na meso attā’ti evametaṁ yathābhūtaṁ sammappaññāya daṭṭhabbaṁ.

And what’s not-self should be truly seen with right understanding like this: ‘This is not mine, I am not this, this is not my self.’

Evaṁ passaṁ, bhikkhave, sutavā ariyasāvako rūpesupi nibbindati, saddesupi nibbindati, gandhesupi nibbindati, rasesupi nibbindati, phoṭṭhabbesupi nibbindati, dhammesupi nibbindati.

Seeing this, a learned noble disciple grows disillusioned with sights, sounds, smells, tastes, touches, and ideas.

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.’”

Catutthaṁ.

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
View all discourses →
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
View all discourses →
Right view

Right view

View that is in line with the Dhamma — teachings of the Buddha that point to the nature of reality, the ultimate truth.

Also known as: right understanding, right belief, view that is inline with the Dhamma
Pāli: sammādiṭṭhi
View all discourses →
Suffering

Suffering

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
View all discourses →

Last updated on July 27, 2026