sn.35.93 Saṁyutta Nikāya (Linked Discourses)

The Dyad (2)

“Bhikkhus, consciousness comes to be in dependence on a dyad. And how, bhikkhus, does consciousness come to be in dependence on a dyad? In dependence on the eye and forms there arises eye-consciousness. The eye is impermanent, changing, becoming otherwise; forms are impermanent, changing, becoming otherwise. Thus this dyad is moving and tottering, impermanent, changing, becoming otherwise.

“Eye-consciousness is impermanent, changing, becoming otherwise. The cause and condition for the arising of eye-consciousness is also impermanent, changing, becoming otherwise. When, bhikkhus, eye-consciousness has arisen in dependence on a condition that is impermanent, how could it be permanent?

“The meeting, the encounter, the concurrence of these three things is called eye-contact. Eye-contact too is impermanent, changing, becoming otherwise. The cause and condition for the arising of eye-contact is also impermanent, changing, becoming otherwise. When, bhikkhus, eye-contact has arisen in dependence on a condition that is impermanent, how could it be permanent?

“Contacted, bhikkhus, one feels, contacted one intends, contacted one perceives. Thus these things too are moving and tottering, impermanent, changing, becoming otherwise.

“In dependence on the ear and sounds there arises ear-consciousness … … In dependence on the mind and mental phenomena there arises mind-consciousness. The mind is impermanent, changing, becoming otherwise; mental phenomena are impermanent, changing, becoming otherwise. Thus this dyad is moving and tottering, impermanent, changing, becoming otherwise.

“Mind-consciousness is impermanent, changing, becoming otherwise. The cause and condition for the arising of mind-consciousness is also impermanent, changing, becoming otherwise. When, bhikkhus, mind-consciousness has arisen in dependence on a condition that is impermanent, how could it be permanent?

“The meeting, the encounter, the concurrence of these three things is called mind-contact. Mind-contact too is impermanent, changing, becoming otherwise. The cause and condition for the arising of mind-contact is also impermanent, changing, becoming otherwise. When, bhikkhus, mind-contact has arisen in dependence on a condition that is impermanent, how could it be permanent?

“Contacted, bhikkhus, one feels, contacted one intends, contacted one perceives. Thus these things too are moving and tottering, impermanent, changing, becoming otherwise.

“It is in such a way, bhikkhus, that consciousness comes to be in dependence on a dyad.”

- Translator: Bhikkhu Bodhi

- Editor: Blake Walsh

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A Duality (2nd)

“Mendicants, consciousness exists dependent on a duality.
And what is that duality?
Eye consciousness arises dependent on the eye and sights.
The eye is impermanent, decaying, and perishing.
Sights are impermanent, decaying, and perishing.
So this duality is tottering and toppling; it’s impermanent, decaying, and perishing.
Eye consciousness is impermanent, decaying, and perishing.
And the causes and reasons that give rise to eye consciousness are also impermanent, decaying, and perishing.
But since eye consciousness has arisen dependent on conditions that are impermanent, how could it be permanent?
The meeting, coming together, and joining together of these three things is called eye contact.
Eye contact is also impermanent, decaying, and perishing.
And the causes and reasons that give rise to eye contact are also impermanent, decaying, and perishing.
But since eye contact has arisen dependent on conditions that are impermanent, how could it be permanent?
Contacted, one feels, intends, and perceives.
So these things too are tottering and toppling; they’re impermanent, decaying, and perishing.
Ear consciousness … Nose consciousness … Tongue consciousness … Body consciousness …












Mind consciousness arises dependent on the mind and thoughts.
The mind is impermanent, decaying, and perishing.
Thoughts are impermanent, decaying, and perishing.
So this duality is tottering and toppling; it’s impermanent, decaying, and perishing.
Mind consciousness is impermanent, decaying, and perishing.
And the causes and reasons that give rise to mind consciousness are also impermanent, decaying, and perishing.
But since mind consciousness has arisen dependent on conditions that are impermanent, how could it be permanent?
The meeting, coming together, and joining together of these three things is called mind contact.
Mind contact is also impermanent, decaying, and perishing.
And the causes and reasons that give rise to mind contact are also impermanent, decaying, and perishing.
But since mind contact has arisen dependent on conditions that are impermanent, how could it be permanent?
Contacted, one feels, intends, and perceives.
So these things too are tottering and toppling; they’re impermanent, decaying, and perishing.
This is how consciousness exists dependent on a duality.”