sn.22.151 Saṁyutta Nikāya (Linked Discourses)

This Is Mine

At Sāvatthī.
“Mendicants, when what exists, because of grasping what and insisting on what,
does someone regard things like this: ‘This is mine, I am this, this is my self’?”
“Our teachings are rooted in the Buddha. …”
“When form exists, because of grasping form and insisting on form …
When consciousness exists, because of grasping consciousness and insisting on consciousness,
someone regards it like this: ‘This is mine, I am this, this is my self.’
What do you think, mendicants?
Is form permanent or impermanent?”
“Impermanent, sir.” …
“But by not grasping what’s impermanent, suffering, and perishable, would you regard it like this: ‘This is mine, I am this, this is my self’?”
“No, sir.”
“Is feeling …
perception …
choices …
consciousness permanent or impermanent?”
“Impermanent, sir.” …
“But by not grasping what’s impermanent, suffering, and perishable, would you regard it like this: ‘This is mine, I am this, this is my self’?”
“No, sir.”
“Seeing this …
They understand: ‘… there is no return to any state of existence.’”