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

SN 35.5 The Exterior as Suffering

“Rūpā, bhikkhave, dukkhā. Yaṁ dukkhaṁ tadanattā; yadanattā taṁ ‘netaṁ mama, nesohamasmi, na meso attā’ti evametaṁ yathābhūtaṁ sammappaññāya daṭṭhabbaṁ. Saddāgandhārasāphoṭṭhabbādhammā dukkhā. Yaṁ dukkhaṁ tadanattā. Yadanattā taṁ ‘netaṁ mama, nesohamasmi, na meso attā’ti evametaṁ yathābhūtaṁ sammappaññāya daṭṭhabbaṁ.

Evaṁ passaṁ …pe… nāparaṁ itthattāyāti pajānātī”ti.

Pañcamaṁ.

Reference Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato (CC0).

“Rūpā, bhikkhave, dukkhā.

“Mendicants, sights are 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

gandhā

rasā

phoṭṭhabbā

dhammā dukkhā.

Yaṁ dukkhaṁ tadanattā.

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

Evaṁ passaṁ …pe…

nāparaṁ itthattāyāti pajānātī”ti.

Pañcamaṁ.

Qualities:

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
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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
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Last updated on July 27, 2026