3.2.8 What is Perception of Impermanence?*

“And what, Ānanda, is perception of impermanence? Here, Ānanda, a Bhikkhu, having gone into the forest, or to the foot of a tree, or to an empty space, considers thus: “This body is impermanent, sensations are impermanent, perception is impermanent, mental conditioned reactions are impermanent, consciousness is impermanent. Thus he dwells observing the impermanence within these five aggregates of clinging.

This, Ānanda, is perception of impermanence.

And what, Ānanda, is perception of non-self, non-I? Here, Ānanda, a Bhikkhu, having gone into the forest, or to the foot of a tree, or to an empty space, considers thus: “Eye is non-self, non-I; physical objects are non-self, non-I; ear is non-self, non-I; sounds are non-self, non-I; nose is non-self, non-I; smell, odour is non-self, non-I; tongue is non-self, non-I; taste is non-self, non-I; body is non-self, non-I; tactile objects are non-self, non-I; mind is non-self, non-I; mental objects are non-self, non-I. Thus he dwells observing the character of non-self, non-I within the internal and external sense spheres.

This, Ānanda, is perception of non-self, non-I.”



* Girimānandasuttaṃ cont.

Last modified: Monday, 14 December 2015, 8:31 AM