sn.35.92 Saṁyutta Nikāya (Linked Discourses)

The Dyad (1)

“Bhikkhus, I will teach you the dyad. Listen to that….

“And what, bhikkhus, is the dyad? The eye and forms, the ear and sounds, the nose and odours, the tongue and tastes, the body and tactile objects, the mind and mental phenomena. This is called the dyad.

“If anyone, bhikkhus, should speak thus: ‘Having rejected this dyad, I shall make known another dyad’—that would be a mere empty boast on his part. If he was questioned he would not be able to reply and, further, he would meet with vexation. For what reason? Because, bhikkhus, that would not be within his domain.”

- Translator: Bhikkhu Bodhi

- Editor: Blake Walsh

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A Duality (1st)

“Mendicants, I will teach you a duality.
Listen …
And what is a duality?
It’s just the eye and sights, the ear and sounds, the nose and smells, the tongue and tastes, the body and touches, and the mind and thoughts.
This is called a duality.
Mendicants, suppose someone was to say:
‘I’ll reject this duality and describe another duality.’ They’d have no grounds for that,
they’d be stumped by questions, and, in addition, they’d get frustrated.

Why is that?
Because they’re out of their element.”