an.6.63 Aṅguttara Nikāya (Numbered Discourses)

A Penetrative Discourse

“I will teach you the penetrative explanation that is a Dhamma explanation. Listen and pay close attention. I will speak.”

“As you say, lord," the monks responded.

The Blessed One said: “And which penetrative explanation is a Dhamma explanation?

“Sensuality should be known. The cause of sensuality should be known. The diversity in sensuality should be known. The result of sensuality should be known. The cessation of sensuality should be known. The path of practice for the cessation of sensuality should be known.

“Feeling should be known. The cause of feeling should be known. The diversity in feeling should be known. The result of feeling should be known. The cessation of feeling should be known. The path of practice for the cessation of feeling should be known.

“Perception should be known. The cause of perception should be known. The diversity in perception should be known. The result of perception should be known. The cessation of perception should be known. The path of practice for the cessation of perception should be known.

“Defilements should be known. The cause of defilements should be known. The diversity in defilements should be known. The result of defilements should be known. The cessation of defilements should be known. The path of practice for the cessation of defilements should be known

“Kamma should be known. The cause of kamma should be known. The diversity in kamma should be known. The result of kamma should be known. The cessation of kamma should be known. The path of practice for the cessation of kamma should be known.

“Suffering should be known. The cause of suffering should be known. The diversity in suffering should be known. The result of suffering should be known. The cessation of suffering should be known. The path of practice for the cessation of suffering should be known.

1.

“‘Sensuality should be known. The cause of sensuality… The diversity in sensuality… The result of sensuality… The cessation of sensuality… The path of practice for the cessation of sensuality should be known.’ Thus it has been said. In reference to what was it said?

“There are these five strings of sensuality. Which five? Forms cognizable via the eye—agreeable, pleasing, charming, endearing, fostering desire, enticing; sounds cognizable via the ear… aromas cognizable via the nose… flavors cognizable via the tongue… tactile sensations cognizable via the body—agreeable, pleasing, charming, endearing, fostering desire, enticing. But these are not sensuality. They are called strings of sensuality in the discipline of the noble ones.

The passion for his resolves is a man's sensuality,
not the beautiful sensual pleasures found in the world.
The passion for his resolves is a man's sensuality.

The beauties remain as they are in the world,
while the wise, in this regard,
subdue their desire.

“And what is the cause of sensuality? Contact is the cause of sensuality.

“And what is the diversity in sensuality? Sensuality with regard to forms is one thing, sensuality with regard to sounds is another, sensuality with regard to aromas is another, sensuality with regard to flavors is another, sensuality with regard to tactile sensations is another. This is called the diversity in sensuality.

“And what is the result of sensuality? One who wants sensuality produces a corresponding state of existence, on the side of merit or demerit. This is called the result of sensuality.

“And what is the cessation of sensuality? From the cessation of contact is the cessation of sensuality; and just this noble eightfold path—right view, right resolve, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, right samādhi—is the way leading to the cessation of sensuality.

“Now when a disciple of the noble ones discerns sensuality in this way, the cause of sensuality in this way, the diversity of sensuality in this way, the result of sensuality in this way, the cessation of sensuality in this way, and the path of practice leading to the cessation of sensuality in this way, then he discerns this penetrative holy life as the cessation of sensuality.

2.

“‘Feeling should be known. The cause of feeling… The diversity in feeling… The result of feeling… The cessation of feeling… The path of practice for the cessation of feeling should be known.’ Thus it has been said. In reference to what was it said?

“There are these three kinds of feeling: a feeling of pleasure, a feeling of pain, and feeling of neither pleasure nor pain.

“And what is the cause of feeling? Contact is the cause of feeling.

“And what is the diversity in feeling? There is the feeling of pleasure connected with the baits of the world. There is the feeling of pleasure not connected with the baits of the world. There is the feeling of pain connected with the baits of the world. There is the feeling of pain not connected with the baits of the world. There is the feeling of neither pleasure nor pain connected with the baits of the world. There is the feeling of neither pleasure nor pain not connected with the baits of the world. This is called the diversity in feeling.

“And what is the result of feeling? One who feels a feeling produces a corresponding state of existence, on the side of merit or demerit. This is called the result of feeling.

“And what is the cessation of feeling? From the cessation of contact is the cessation of feeling; and just this noble eightfold path—right view, right resolve, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, right samādhi—is the way leading to the cessation of feeling.

“Now when a disciple of the noble ones discerns feeling in this way, the cause of feeling in this way, the diversity of feeling in this way, the result of feeling in this way, the cessation of feeling in this way, and the path of practice leading to the cessation of feeling in this way, then he discerns this penetrative holy life as the cessation of feeling.

3.

“‘Perception should be known. The cause of perception… The diversity in perception… The result of perception… The cessation of perception… The path of practice for the cessation of perception should be known.’ Thus it has been said. In reference to what was it said?

“There are these six kinds of perception: the perception of form, the perception of sound, the perception of aroma, the perception of flavor, the perception of tactile sensation, the perception of ideas.

“And what is the cause of perception? Contact is the cause of perception.

“And what is the diversity in perception? Perception with regard to forms is one thing, perception with regard to sounds is another, perception with regard to aromas is another, perception with regard to flavors is another, perception with regard to tactile sensations is another, perception with regard to ideas is another. This is called the diversity in perception.

“And what is the result of perception? Perception has expression as its result, I tell you. However a person perceives something, that is how he expresses it: 'I have this sort of perception.’ This is called the result of perception.

“And what is the cessation of perception? From the cessation of contact is the cessation of perception; and just this noble eightfold path—right view, right resolve, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, right samādhi—is the way leading to the cessation of perception.

“Now when a disciple of the noble ones discerns perception in this way, the cause of perception in this way, the diversity of perception in this way, the result of perception in this way, the cessation of perception in this way, and the path of practice leading to the cessation of perception in this way, then he discerns this penetrative holy life as the cessation of perception.

4.

“‘Defilements should be known. The cause of defilements… The diversity in defilements… The result of defilements… The cessation of defilements… The path of practice for the cessation of defilements should be known.’ Thus it has been said. In reference to what was it said?

“There are these three kinds of defilements: the defilement of sensuality, the defilement of becoming, the defilement of ignorance.

“And what is the cause of defilements? Ignorance is the cause of defilements.

“And what is the diversity in defilements? There are defilements that lead to hell, those that lead to the animal womb, those that lead to the realm of the hungry shades, those that lead to the human world, those that lead to the world of the devas. This is called the diversity in defilements.

“And what is the result of defilements? One who is immersed in ignorance produces a corresponding state of existence, on the side of merit or demerit. This is called the result of defilements.

“And what is the cessation of defilements? From the cessation of ignorance is the cessation of defilements; and just this noble eightfold path—right view, right resolve, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, right samādhi—is the way leading to the cessation of defilements.

“Now when a disciple of the noble ones discerns defilements in this way, the cause of defilements in this way, the diversity of defilements in this way, the result of defilements in this way, the cessation of defilements in this way, and the path of practice leading to the cessation of defilements in this way, then he discerns this penetrative holy life as the cessation of defilements.

5.

“‘Kamma should be known. The cause of kamma should be known. The diversity in kamma should be known. The result of kamma should be known. The cessation of kamma should be known. The path of practice for the cessation of kamma should be known.’ Thus it has been said. In reference to what was it said?

“Intention, I tell you, is kamma. Intending, one does kamma by way of body, speech, and intellect.

“And what is the cause of kamma? Contact is the cause of kamma.

“And what is the diversity in kamma? There is kamma to be experienced in hell, kamma to be experienced in the realm of common animals, kamma to be experienced in the realm of the hungry shades, kamma to be experienced in the human world, kamma to be experienced in the world of the devas. This is called the diversity in kamma.

“And what is the result of kamma? The result of kamma is of three sorts, I tell you: that which arises right here & now, that which arises later [in this lifetime], and that which arises following that. This is called the result of kamma.

“And what is the cessation of kamma? From the cessation of contact is the cessation of kamma; and just this noble eightfold path—right view, right resolve, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, right samādhi—is the path of practice leading to the cessation of kamma.

“Now when a disciple of the noble ones discerns kamma in this way, the cause of kamma in this way, the diversity of kamma in this way, the result of kamma in this way, the cessation of kamma in this way, and the path of practice leading to the cessation of kamma in this way, then he discerns this penetrative holy life as the cessation of kamma.

“‘Kamma should be known. The cause of kamma… The diversity in kamma… The result of kamma… The cessation of kamma… The path of practice for the cessation of kamma should be known.’ Thus it has been said, and in reference to this was it said.

6.

“‘Suffering should be known. The cause of suffering should be known. The diversity in suffering should be known. The result of suffering should be known. The cessation of suffering should be known. The path of practice for the cessation of suffering should be known.’ Thus it has been said. In reference to what was it said?

Birth is suffering, aging is suffering, death is suffering; sorrow, lamentation, pain, disuffering, and despair are suffering; association with the unbeloved is suffering; separation from the loved is suffering; not getting what is wanted is suffering. In short, the five clinging-aggregates are suffering.

“And what is the cause of suffering? Craving is the cause of suffering.

“And what is the diversity in suffering? There is major suffering and minor, slowly fading and quickly fading. This is called the diversity in suffering.

“And what is the result of suffering? There are some cases in which a person overcome with pain, his mind exhausted, grieves, mourns, laments, beats his breast, and becomes bewildered. Or one overcome with pain, his mind exhausted, comes to search outside, 'Who knows a way or two to stop this pain?’ I tell you, monks, that suffering results either in bewilderment or in search. This is called the result of suffering.

“And what is the cessation of suffering? From the cessation of craving is the cessation of suffering; and just this noble eightfold path—right view, right resolve, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, right samādhi—is the path of practice leading to the cessation of suffering.

“Now when a disciple of the noble ones discerns suffering in this way, the cause of suffering in this way, the diversity of suffering in this way, the result of suffering in this way, the cessation of suffering in this way, and the path of practice leading to the cessation of suffering in this way, then he discerns this penetrative holy life as the cessation of suffering.

“‘Suffering should be known. The cause of suffering… The diversity in suffering… The result of suffering… The cessation of suffering… The path of practice for the cessation of suffering should be known.’ Thus it was said, and in reference to this was it said.

“And this is the penetrative explanation that is a Dhamma explanation.”

- Translator: Thanissaro Bhikkhu

- Editor: Blake Walsh

Penetrative

Contact is their source.
by way of body, speech, and mind.
“Mendicants, I will teach you a penetrative exposition of the teaching.
Listen and pay close attention, I will speak.”
“Yes, sir,” they replied.
The Buddha said this:
“Mendicants, what is the penetrative exposition of the teaching?
Sensual pleasures should be known. And their source, diversity, result, cessation, and the practice that leads to their cessation should be known.
Feelings should be known. And their source, diversity, result, cessation, and the practice that leads to their cessation should be known.
Perceptions should be known. And their source, diversity, result, cessation, and the practice that leads to their cessation should be known.
Defilements should be known. And their source, diversity, result, cessation, and the practice that leads to their cessation should be known.
Deeds should be known. And their source, diversity, result, cessation, and the practice that leads to their cessation should be known.
Suffering should be known. And its source, diversity, result, cessation, and the practice that leads to its cessation should be known.
‘Sensual pleasures should be known. And their source, diversity, result, cessation, and the practice that leads to their cessation should be known.’ That’s what I said,
but why did I say it?
There are these five kinds of sensual stimulation.
Sights known by the eye that are likable, desirable, agreeable, pleasant, sensual, and arousing.
Sounds known by the ear …
Smells known by the nose …
Tastes known by the tongue …
Touches known by the body that are likable, desirable, agreeable, pleasant, sensual, and arousing.
However, these are not sensual pleasures. In the training of the Noble One they’re called ‘kinds of sensual stimulation’.
Greedy intention is a person’s sensual pleasure.
The world’s pretty things aren’t sensual pleasures.
Greedy intention is a person’s sensual pleasure.
The world’s pretty things stay just as they are,
but a wise one removes desire for them.
And what is the source of sensual pleasures?
Contact is their source.
And what is the diversity of sensual pleasures?
The sensual desire for sights, sounds, smells, tastes, and touches are all different.
This is called the diversity of sensual pleasures.
And what is the result of sensual pleasures?
When one who desires sensual pleasures creates a corresponding life-form, with the attributes of either good or bad deeds—this is called the result of sensual pleasures.
And what is the cessation of sensual pleasures?
When contact ceases, sensual pleasures cease.
The practice that leads to the cessation of sensual pleasures is simply this noble eightfold path, that is:
And what is the source of deeds?
right view, right thought, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right immersion.
When a noble disciple understands sensual pleasures in this way—and understands their source, diversity, result, cessation, and the practice that leads to their cessation—they understand that this penetrative spiritual life is the cessation of sensual pleasures.
‘Sensual pleasures should be known. And their source, diversity, result, cessation, and the practice that leads to their cessation should be known.’
That’s what I said, and this is why I said it.
‘Feelings should be known. And their source, diversity, result, cessation, and the practice that leads to their cessation should be known.’
That’s what I said, but why did I say it?
There are these three feelings:
pleasant, painful, and neutral.
And what is the source of feelings?
Contact is their source.
And what is the diversity of feelings?
There are material pleasant feelings, spiritual pleasant feelings, material painful feelings, spiritual painful feelings, material neutral feelings, and spiritual neutral feelings.
This is called the diversity of feelings.
And what is the result of feelings?
When one who feels creates a corresponding life-form, with the attributes of either good or bad deeds—
this is called the result of feelings.
And what is the cessation of feelings?
When contact ceases, feelings cease.
The practice that leads to the cessation of feelings is simply this noble eightfold path, that is:
right view, right thought, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right immersion.
When a noble disciple understands feelings in this way … they understand that this penetrative spiritual life is the cessation of feelings.
‘Feelings should be known. And their source, diversity, result, cessation, and the practice that leads to their cessation should be known.’
That’s what I said, and this is why I said it.
‘Perceptions should be known. And their source, diversity, result, cessation, and the practice that leads to their cessation should be known.’
That’s what I said, but why did I say it?
There are these six perceptions:
perceptions of sights, sounds, smells, tastes, touches, and thoughts.
And what is the source of perceptions?
Contact is their source.
And what is the diversity of perceptions?
The perceptions of sights, sounds, smells, tastes, touches, and thoughts are all different.
This is called the diversity of perceptions.
And what is the result of perceptions?
Communication is the result of perception, I say.
You communicate something in whatever manner you perceive it, saying ‘That’s what I perceived.’
This is called the result of perceptions.
And what is the cessation of perception?
When contact ceases, perception ceases.
The practice that leads to the cessation of perceptions is simply this noble eightfold path, that is:
right view, right thought, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right immersion.
When a noble disciple understands perception in this way … they understand that this penetrative spiritual life is the cessation of perception.
‘Perceptions should be known. And their source, diversity, result, cessation, and the practice that leads to their cessation should be known.’
That’s what I said, and this is why I said it.
‘Defilements should be known. And their source, diversity, result, cessation, and the practice that leads to their cessation should be known.’
That’s what I said, but why did I say it?
There are these three defilements:
the defilements of sensuality, desire to be reborn, and ignorance.
And what is the source of defilements?
Ignorance is the source of defilements.
And what is the diversity of defilements?
There are defilements that lead to rebirth in hell, the animal realm, the ghost realm, the human world, and the world of the gods.
This is called the diversity of defilements.
And what is the result of defilements?
When one who is ignorant creates a corresponding life-form, with the attributes of either good or bad deeds—this is called the result of defilements.
And what is the cessation of defilements?
When ignorance ceases, defilements cease.
The practice that leads to the cessation of defilements is simply this noble eightfold path, that is:
right view, right thought, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right immersion.
When a noble disciple understands defilements in this way … they understand that this penetrative spiritual life is the cessation of defilements.
‘Defilements should be known. And their source, diversity, result, cessation, and the practice that leads to their cessation should be known.’
That’s what I said, and this is why I said it.
‘Deeds should be known. And their source, diversity, result, cessation, and the practice that leads to their cessation should be known.’ That’s what I said,
but why did I say it?
It is intention that I call deeds.
For after making a choice one acts
And what is the diversity of deeds?
There are deeds that lead to rebirth in hell, the animal realm, the ghost realm, the human world, and the world of the gods.
This is called the diversity of deeds.
And what is the result of deeds?
The result of deeds is threefold, I say:
in this very life, on rebirth in the next life, or at some later time.
This is called the result of deeds.
And what is the cessation of deeds?
When contact ceases, deeds cease.
The practice that leads to the cessation of deeds is simply this noble eightfold path, that is:
right view, right thought, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right immersion.
When a noble disciple understands deeds in this way … they understand that this penetrative spiritual life is the cessation of deeds.
‘Deeds should be known. And their source, diversity, result, cessation, and the practice that leads to their cessation should be known.’
That’s what I said, and this is why I said it.
‘Suffering should be known. And its source, diversity, result, cessation, and the practice that leads to its cessation should be known.’
That’s what I said, but why did I say it?
Rebirth is suffering; old age is suffering; illness is suffering; death is suffering; sorrow, lamentation, pain, sadness, and distress are suffering; not getting what you wish for is suffering. In brief, the five grasping aggregates are suffering.
And what is the source of suffering?
Craving is the source of suffering.
And what is the diversity of suffering?
There is suffering that is severe, mild, slow to fade, and quick to fade.
This is called the diversity of suffering.
And what is the result of suffering?
It’s when someone who is overcome and overwhelmed by suffering sorrows and wails and laments, beating their breast and falling into confusion. Or else, overcome by that suffering, they begin an external search, wondering:
‘Who knows one or two phrases to stop this suffering?’
The result of suffering is either confusion or a search, I say.
This is called the result of suffering.
And what is the cessation of suffering?
When craving ceases, suffering ceases.
The practice that leads to the cessation of suffering is simply this noble eightfold path, that is:
right view, right thought, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right immersion.
When a noble disciple understands suffering in this way … they understand that this penetrative spiritual life is the cessation of suffering.
‘Suffering should be known. And its source, diversity, result, cessation, and the practice that leads to its cessation should be known.’
That’s what I said, and this is why I said it.
This is the penetrative exposition of the teaching.”