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sn.35.71 Saṁyutta Nikāya (Linked Discourses)

The Six Bases for Contact (1)

“Bhikkhus, if a bhikkhu does not understand as they really are the origin and the passing away, the gratification, the danger, and the escape, in the case of these six bases for contact, then he has not lived the holy life; he is far away from this Dhamma and Discipline.”

When this was said, a certain bhikkhu said to the Blessed One: “Here, venerable sir, I am lost, for I do not understand as they really are the origin and the passing away, the gratification, the danger, and the escape, in the case of these six bases for contact.”

“What do you think, bhikkhu, do you regard the eye thus: ‘This is mine, this I am, this is my self’?”

“No, venerable sir.”

“Good, bhikkhu! And here, bhikkhu, you should clearly see the eye as it really is with correct wisdom thus: ‘This is not mine, this I am not, this is not my self.’ This itself is the end of suffering.

“Do you regard the ear thus…? Do you regard the mind thus: ‘This is mine, this I am, this is my self’?”

“No, venerable sir.”

“Good, bhikkhu! And here, bhikkhu, you should clearly see the mind as it really is with correct wisdom thus: ‘This is not mine, this I am not, this is not my self.’ This itself is the end of suffering.”

- Translator: Bhikkhu Bodhi

- Editor: Blake Walsh


Six Fields of Contact (1st)

“Mendicants, anyone who doesn’t truly understand the six fields of contact’s origin, ending, gratification, drawback, and escape
has not completed the spiritual journey and is far from this teaching and training.”
When he said this, one of the mendicants said to the Buddha,
“Here, sir, I’m lost.
For I don’t truly understand the six fields of contact’s origin, ending, gratification, drawback, and escape.”
“What do you think, mendicant?
Do you regard the eye like this: ‘This is mine, I am this, this is my self’?”
“No, sir.”
“Good, mendicant! And regarding the eye, you will truly see clearly with right wisdom that: ‘This is not mine, I am not this, this is not my self.’
Just this is the end of suffering.
Do you regard the ear … nose … tongue … body …



Do you regard the mind like this: ‘This is mine, I am this, this is my self’?”
“No, sir.”
“Good, mendicant! And regarding the mind, you will truly see clearly with right wisdom that: ‘This is not mine, I am not this, this is not my self.’
Just this is the end of suffering.”