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

SN 35.7 The Interior as Impermanent in the Three Times

“Cakkhuṁ, bhikkhave, aniccaṁ atītānāgataṁ; ko pana vādo paccuppannassa.

Evaṁ passaṁ, bhikkhave, sutavā ariyasāvako atītasmiṁ cakkhusmiṁ anapekkho hoti; anāgataṁ cakkhuṁ nābhinandati; paccuppannassa cakkhussa nibbidāya virāgāya nirodhāya paṭipanno hoti.

Sotaṁ aniccaṁghānaṁ aniccaṁjivhā aniccā atītānāgatā; ko pana vādo paccuppannāya. Evaṁ passaṁ, bhikkhave, sutavā ariyasāvako atītāya jivhāya anapekkho hoti; anāgataṁ jivhaṁ nābhinandati; paccuppannāya jivhāya nibbidāya virāgāya nirodhāya paṭipanno hoti. Kāyo anicco …pe… mano anicco atītānāgato; ko pana vādo paccuppannassa.

Evaṁ passaṁ, bhikkhave, sutavā ariyasāvako atītasmiṁ manasmiṁ anapekkho hoti; anāgataṁ manaṁ nābhinandati; paccuppannassa manassa nibbidāya virāgāya nirodhāya paṭipanno hotī”ti.

Sattamaṁ.

Reference Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato (CC0).

“Cakkhuṁ, bhikkhave, aniccaṁ atītānāgataṁ;

“Mendicants, the eye of the past and future is impermanent,

ko pana vādo paccuppannassa.

let alone the present.

Evaṁ passaṁ, bhikkhave, sutavā ariyasāvako atītasmiṁ cakkhusmiṁ anapekkho hoti;

Seeing this, a learned noble disciple is not concerned with the eye of the past,

anāgataṁ cakkhuṁ nābhinandati;

they don’t look forward to enjoying the eye in the future,

paccuppannassa cakkhussa nibbidāya virāgāya nirodhāya paṭipanno hoti.

and they practice for disillusionment, dispassion, and cessation regarding the eye in the present.

Sotaṁ aniccaṁ

The ear …

ghānaṁ aniccaṁ

nose …

jivhā aniccā atītānāgatā;

tongue …

ko pana vādo paccuppannāya.

Evaṁ passaṁ, bhikkhave, sutavā ariyasāvako atītāya jivhāya anapekkho hoti;

anāgataṁ jivhaṁ nābhinandati;

paccuppannāya jivhāya nibbidāya virāgāya nirodhāya paṭipanno hoti.

Kāyo anicco …pe…

body …

mano anicco atītānāgato;

mind of the past and future is impermanent,

ko pana vādo paccuppannassa.

let alone the present.

Evaṁ passaṁ, bhikkhave, sutavā ariyasāvako atītasmiṁ manasmiṁ anapekkho hoti;

Seeing this, a learned noble disciple doesn’t worry about the mind of the past,

anāgataṁ manaṁ nābhinandati;

they don’t look forward to enjoying the mind in the future,

paccuppannassa manassa nibbidāya virāgāya nirodhāya paṭipanno hotī”ti.

and they practice for disillusionment, dispassion, and cessation regarding the mind in the present.”

Sattamaṁ.

Qualities:

Anxiety

Anxiety

A fluttering, unsettled state of mind, worried about past or future and unsure what is right to do. It keeps the mind circling around concerns without resolution, weakening confidence and obscuring calm discernment.

Also known as: agitation, confusion about what is right and wrong, distress, fickleness, fidgetiness, edginess, restlessness, wavering, worry
Pāli: kukkucca, uddhacca, darathaja
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Dispassion

Dispassion

The fading of desire and attraction toward conditioned things. It arises through seeing the impermanent and unsatisfactory nature of experience. It is the natural fragrance of understanding and the forerunner of release.

Also known as: detachment, disinterest, fading of desire, disentanglement
Pāli: virāga, visaṁyutta
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Ending

Ending

The complete exhaustion and ending of craving, aversion, and delusion—the three roots of suffering. It refers to both the gradual wearing away of defilements through practice and the final cessation that constitutes Nibbāna.

Also known as: cessation, exhaustion, gradual ending, wearing away
Pāli: khaya, khīṇa, nirodha
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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