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The 3 characteristics sutta Found in the Pali Vinaya, Mahàvagga, 1st Khandhaka Transl. Bodhangkur Mahathero Note: The
Buddha remained silent on the notion of SELF. Hence no one knows what he actually meant when he used the word. |
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The Bhagavat said: “Bhikkhus, consciousness not SELF. Were consciousness SELF, consciousness would not deteriorate (i.e. change),
and one could have it of consciousness: ‘My consciousness this, my consciousness
not this.’ And
since consciousness not SELF, so it leads to deterioration, and
none can have it of consciousness: ‘My consciousness this, my consciousness
not this’.” “Bhikkhus,
feeling not
SELF …(repeat above).” “Bhikkhus,
perception not SELF …(repeat above).” “Bhikkhus,
formation not SELF …(repeat above). “Bhikkhus,
material form not SELF …(repeat above).” “Bhikkhus, how do you conceive it:” “Is consciousness permanent
or transient? ” “Transient, Sir.” “Now is what is transient distressing
or not distressing?” “Distressing, Sir.” “And that which is transient, distressing,
changing according to the law, is it clever to see it as: ‘This is mine, this
I am, this is my SELF?’” “No, Sir.”
“Is feeling permanent or transient? …(repeat
above).” “Is perception permanent or inconstant? …(repeat
above).” “Is formation permanent or inconstant? …(repeat
above).” “Is material form permanent or transient? …(repeat
above).” “So, bhikkhus whatever consciousness, whether
past, future or presently arisen, whether gross or subtle, whether in oneself
or external, whether inferior or superior, whether far or near, must with
right understanding be regarded as it is: ‘This not mine, this not I am, this
not my SELF.’ ” “Whatever feeling … (repeat above).” “Whatever perception …(repeat above).” “Whatever formation …(repeat above).” “Whatever material form, whether past, future or
presently arisen, whether gross or subtle, whether in oneself or external,
whether inferior or superior, whether far or near, must with right
understanding be regarded as it is: ‘This not mine, this not I am, this not
my SELF’.
” “Bhikkhus, when an Aryan learned hearer sees thus,
he finds disgust in consciousness, he finds disgust in sensation, he finds
disgust in perception, he finds disgust in formation, he finds disgust in
material form. When he finds disgust, passion fades out. With the fading of
passion, he is liberated. When liberated, there is knowledge that he is
liberated. He discerns: ‘Birth is exhausted, the pure life is completed, the
deed is done, there is no further return to this.’” That
is what the Bhagavat said. The bhikkhus were glad, and they approved his words.
Now during this utterance, the minds of the bhikkhus of the group of five
were, by not clinging, liberated from the intoxicants. And there were then six worthies in the world. |