sn.22.31 Saṁyutta Nikāya (Linked Discourses)

The Root of Misery

At Savatthi. “Bhikkhus, I will teach you misery and the root of misery. Listen to that….

“And what, bhikkhus, is misery? Form is misery; feeling is misery; perception is misery; volitional formations are misery; consciousness is misery. This is called misery.

“And what, bhikkhus, is the root of misery? It is this craving that leads to renewed existence, accompanied by delight and lust, seeking delight here and there; that is, craving for sensual pleasures, craving for existence, craving for extermination. This is called the root of misery.”

- Translator: Bhikkhu Bodhi

- Editor: Blake Walsh

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The Root of Misery

At Sāvatthī.
“Mendicants, I will teach you misery and the root of misery.
Listen …
And what is misery?
Form, feeling, perception, choices, and consciousness are misery.
This is called misery.
And what is the root of misery?
It’s the craving that leads to future lives, mixed up with relishing and greed, chasing pleasure in various realms. That is,
craving for sensual pleasures, craving to continue existence, and craving to end existence.
This is called the root of misery.”