sn.35.143 Saṁyutta Nikāya (Linked Discourses)

Impermanent with Cause, Etc. External

These three suttas are identical with §§140-42, but are stated by way of the six external sense bases.)

- Translator: Bhikkhu Bodhi

- Editor: Blake Walsh

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Exterior and Cause Are Impermanent

“Mendicants, sights are impermanent.
The cause and reason that gives rise to sights is also impermanent.
Since sights are produced by what is impermanent, how could they be permanent?
Sounds …
Smells …
Tastes …
Touches …
Thoughts are impermanent.
The cause and reason that gives rise to thoughts is also impermanent.
Since thoughts are produced by what is impermanent, how could they be permanent?
Seeing this …
They understand: ‘… there is no return to any state of existence.’”