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

SN 35.8 The Interior as Suffering in the Three Times

“Cakkhuṁ, bhikkhave, dukkhaṁ 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 dukkhaṁ …pe… ghānaṁ dukkhaṁ …pe… jivhā dukkhā 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 dukkho …pe… mano dukkho 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.

Aṭṭhamaṁ.

Reference Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato (CC0).

“Cakkhuṁ, bhikkhave, dukkhaṁ atītānāgataṁ;

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

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 dukkhaṁ …pe…

ghānaṁ dukkhaṁ …pe…

jivhā dukkhā 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 dukkho …pe…

mano dukkho 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.

Aṭṭhamaṁ.

Qualities:

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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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