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

SN 35.98 Restraint

“Saṁvarañca vo, bhikkhave, desessāmi, asaṁvarañca. Taṁ suṇātha.

Kathañca, bhikkhave, asaṁvaro hoti?

Santi, bhikkhave, cakkhuviññeyyā rūpā iṭṭhā kantā manāpā piyarūpā kāmūpasaṁhitā rajanīyā. Tañce bhikkhu abhinandati abhivadati ajjhosāya tiṭṭhati, veditabbametaṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhunā: ‘parihāyāmi kusalehi dhammehi. Parihānañhetaṁ vuttaṁ bhagavatā’ti …pe…

santi, bhikkhave, jivhāviññeyyā rasā …pe… santi, bhikkhave, manoviññeyyā dhammā iṭṭhā kantā manāpā piyarūpā kāmūpasaṁhitā rajanīyā. Tañce bhikkhu abhinandati abhivadati ajjhosāya tiṭṭhati, veditabbametaṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhunā: ‘parihāyāmi kusalehi dhammehi. Parihānañhetaṁ vuttaṁ bhagavatā’ti.

Evaṁ kho, bhikkhave, asaṁvaro hoti.

Kathañca, bhikkhave, saṁvaro hoti?

Santi, bhikkhave, cakkhuviññeyyā rūpā iṭṭhā kantā manāpā piyarūpā kāmūpasaṁhitā rajanīyā. Tañce bhikkhu nābhinandati nābhivadati nājjhosāya tiṭṭhati, veditabbametaṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhunā: ‘na parihāyāmi kusalehi dhammehi. Aparihānañhetaṁ vuttaṁ bhagavatā’ti …pe…

santi, bhikkhave, jivhāviññeyyā rasā …pe… santi, bhikkhave, manoviññeyyā dhammā iṭṭhā kantā manāpā piyarūpā kāmūpasaṁhitā rajanīyā. Tañce bhikkhu nābhinandati nābhivadati nājjhosāya tiṭṭhati, veditabbametaṁ bhikkhunā: ‘na parihāyāmi kusalehi dhammehi. Aparihānañhetaṁ vuttaṁ bhagavatā’ti.

Evaṁ kho, bhikkhave, saṁvaro hotī”ti.

Pañcamaṁ.

Reference Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato (CC0).

“Saṁvarañca vo, bhikkhave, desessāmi, asaṁvarañca.

“Mendicants, I will teach you who is restrained and who is unrestrained.

Taṁ suṇātha.

Listen …

Kathañca, bhikkhave, asaṁvaro hoti?

And how is someone unrestrained?

Santi, bhikkhave, cakkhuviññeyyā rūpā iṭṭhā kantā manāpā piyarūpā kāmūpasaṁhitā rajanīyā.

There are sights known by the eye, which are likable, desirable, agreeable, pleasant, sensual, and arousing.

Tañce bhikkhu abhinandati abhivadati ajjhosāya tiṭṭhati, veditabbametaṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhunā:

If a mendicant approves, welcomes, and keeps clinging to them, they should understand:

‘parihāyāmi kusalehi dhammehi.

‘My skillful qualities are declining.

Parihānañhetaṁ vuttaṁ bhagavatā’ti …pe…

For this is what the Buddha calls decline.’

santi, bhikkhave, jivhāviññeyyā rasā …pe…

There are sounds … smells … tastes … touches …

santi, bhikkhave, manoviññeyyā dhammā iṭṭhā kantā manāpā piyarūpā kāmūpasaṁhitā rajanīyā.

ideas known by the mind, which are likable, desirable, agreeable, pleasant, sensual, and arousing.

Tañce bhikkhu abhinandati abhivadati ajjhosāya tiṭṭhati, veditabbametaṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhunā:

If a mendicant approves, welcomes, and keeps clinging to them, they should understand:

‘parihāyāmi kusalehi dhammehi.

‘My skillful qualities are declining.

Parihānañhetaṁ vuttaṁ bhagavatā’ti.

For this is what the Buddha calls decline.’

Evaṁ kho, bhikkhave, asaṁvaro hoti.

This is how someone is unrestrained.

Kathañca, bhikkhave, saṁvaro hoti?

And how is someone restrained?

Santi, bhikkhave, cakkhuviññeyyā rūpā iṭṭhā kantā manāpā piyarūpā kāmūpasaṁhitā rajanīyā.

There are sights known by the eye, which are likable, desirable, agreeable, pleasant, sensual, and arousing.

Tañce bhikkhu nābhinandati nābhivadati nājjhosāya tiṭṭhati, veditabbametaṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhunā:

If a mendicant doesn’t approve, welcome, and keep clinging to them, they should understand:

‘na parihāyāmi kusalehi dhammehi.

‘My skillful qualities are not declining.

Aparihānañhetaṁ vuttaṁ bhagavatā’ti …pe…

For this is what the Buddha calls non-decline.’

santi, bhikkhave, jivhāviññeyyā rasā …pe…

There are sounds … smells … tastes … touches …

santi, bhikkhave, manoviññeyyā dhammā iṭṭhā kantā manāpā piyarūpā kāmūpasaṁhitā rajanīyā.

ideas known by the mind, which are likable, desirable, agreeable, pleasant, sensual, and arousing.

Tañce bhikkhu nābhinandati nābhivadati nājjhosāya tiṭṭhati, veditabbametaṁ bhikkhunā:

If a mendicant doesn’t approve, welcome, and keep clinging to them, they should understand:

‘na parihāyāmi kusalehi dhammehi.

‘My skillful qualities are not declining.

Aparihānañhetaṁ vuttaṁ bhagavatā’ti.

For this is what the Buddha calls non-decline.’

Evaṁ kho, bhikkhave, saṁvaro hotī”ti.

This is how someone is restrained.”

Pañcamaṁ.

Qualities:

Adventurousness

Adventurousness

A restless, thrill-seeking bent of mind that delights in novelty and roaming rather than in restraint. When untrained, it pulls one outward to stimulation and risk, making it hard to settle, listen, or practice steadily.

Also known as: audacious, bold, wild, unrestrained, untamed, with wanderlust
Pāli: adanta
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Attachment

Attachment

A mental fastening onto people, things, views, or states as “me” or “mine,” unwilling to release them. This clinging can give a sense of security and sweetness.

Also known as: acquisition, bond, clinging, grasping, holding on, possession, entanglement, bound, connected, taking as mine
Pāli: upadhi, upādāna, sakiñcana, mamatta
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Wholesome

Wholesome

Conducive to or suggestive of good health and mental well-being.

Also known as: blameless, skillful, beneficial, good, useful, healthy, nourishing, sustaining
Pāli: kusala
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Last updated on July 27, 2026