sn.22.66 Saṁyutta Nikāya (Linked Discourses)

Impermanent

At Savatthi. Then a certain bhikkhu approached the Blessed One … and said to him:

“Venerable sir, it would be good if the Blessed One would teach me the Dhamma in brief….”

“Bhikkhu, you should abandon desire for whatever is impermanent.”

“Understood, Blessed One! Understood, Fortunate One!”

“In what way, bhikkhu, do you understand in detail the meaning of what was stated by me in brief?”

“Form, venerable sir, is impermanent; I should abandon desire for it. Feeling is impermanent … Perception is impermanent … Volitional formations are impermanent … Consciousness is impermanent; I should abandon desire for it.

“It is in such a way, venerable sir, that I understand in detail the meaning of what was stated by the Blessed One in brief.”

“Good, good, bhikkhu! It is good that you understand in detail the meaning of what was stated by me in brief. Form is impermanent … Consciousness is impermanent; you should abandon desire for it. It is in such a way that the meaning of what was stated by me in brief should be understood in detail.”

… And that bhikkhu became one of the arahants.

- Translator: Bhikkhu Bodhi

- Editor: Blake Walsh

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Impermanence

At Sāvatthī.
Then a mendicant went up to the Buddha … and asked him,
“Sir, may the Buddha please teach me Dhamma in brief. When I’ve heard it, I’ll live alone, withdrawn, diligent, keen, and resolute.”
“Mendicant, give up desire for anything that’s impermanent.”
“Understood, Blessed One! Understood, Holy One!”
“But how do you see the detailed meaning of my brief statement?”
“Sir, form is impermanent; I should give up desire for it.
Feeling …
Perception …
Choices …
Consciousness is impermanent; I should give up desire for it.
That’s how I understand the detailed meaning of the Buddha’s brief statement.”
“Good, good, mendicant!
It’s good that you understand the detailed meaning of what I’ve said in brief like this.
Form is impermanent; you should give up desire for it.
Feeling …
Perception …
Choices …
Consciousness is impermanent; you should give up desire for it.
This is how to understand the detailed meaning of what I said in brief.” …
And that mendicant became one of the perfected.