“Bhikkhus, there are these three kinds of existence. What three? Sense-sphere existence, form-sphere existence, formless-sphere existence. These are the three kinds of existence. The Noble Eightfold Path is to be developed for direct knowledge of these three kinds of existence, for the full understanding of them, for their utter destruction, for their abandoning.”
sn.45.164 Saṁyutta Nikāya (Linked Discourses)
Existence
- Translator: Bhikkhu Bodhi
- Editor: Blake Walsh
States of Existence
“There are these three states of existence.What three?
Existence in the sensual realm, the realm of luminous form, and the formless realm.
These are the three states of existence.
The noble eightfold path should be developed for the direct knowledge, complete understanding, finishing, and giving up of these three states of existence.”