Saṃyutta Nikāya
II. Nidāna Vagga
14. Dhātu-Saṃyuttaṃ
I. Nānatta Vagga Paṭhama
1. Bāhira-Pañcakaṃ

Sutta 7

Saññā [Pariyesanā-Nānatta] Suttaṃ

Perception

Translated from the Pali
by
Michael M. Olds

 

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[1][pts][bodh] I Hear Tell:

Once upon a time, The Lucky Man, Sāvatthi Town revisiting, Anāthapiṇḍika Park, Jeta Grove.

The diversity of data, beggars, results in the reproduction of the diversity of perceptions,
the diversity of perceptions results in the reproduction of the diversity of principles,
the diversity of principles results in the reproduction of the diversity of wishes,
the diversity of wishes results in the reproduction of the diversity of passions,^[1]
the diversity of passions results in the reproduction of the diversity of quests.^[2]

And what, beggars, are the diverse data?

Form data,
sound data,
scent data,
taste data,
impact data,
things data.

These beggars, are what are called the diverse data.

And what, beggars, are the diverse data that result in the reproduction of the diverse perceptions,
the diverse perceptions that result in the reproduction of the diverse principles,
the diverse principles that result in the reproduction of the divirse wishes,
the diverse wishes that result in the reproduction of the diverse passions,
the diverse passions that result in the reproduction of the diverse quests?

Form data, beggars, results in the reproduction of form perception,
form perception results in the reproduction of form principles,^[3]
form principles result in the reproduction of form wishes,
form wishes result in the reproduction of form passions,
form passions result in the reproduction of form quests.

Sound data, beggars, results in the reproduction of sound perception,
sound perception results in the reproduction of sound principles,
sound principles result in the reproduction of sound wishes,
sound wishes result in the reproduction of sound passions,
sound passions result in the reproduction of sound quests.

Scent data, beggars, results in the reproduction of scent perception,
scent perception results in the reproduction of scent principles,
scent principles result in the reproduction of scent wishes,
scent wishes result in the reproduction of scent passions,
scent passions result in the reproduction of scent quests.

Taste data, beggars, results in the reproduction of taste perception,
taste perception results in the reproduction of taste principles,
taste principles result in the reproduction of taste wishes,
taste wishes result in the reproduction of taste passions,
taste passions result in the reproduction of taste quests.

Impact data, beggars, results in the reproduction of impact perception,
impact perception results in the reproduction of impact principles,
impact principles result in the reproduction of impact wishes,
impact wishes result in the reproduction of impact passions,
impact passions result in the reproduction of impact quests.

Thing data, beggars, results in the reproduction of thing perception,
thing perception results in the reproduction of thing principles,
thing principles result in the reproduction of thing wishes,
thing wishes result in the reproduction of thing passions,
thing passions result in the reproduction of thing quests.

Such then, beggars, are the diverse data that result in the reproduction of the diverse perceptions,
the diverse perceptions that result in the reproduction of the diverse principles,
the diverse principles that result in the reproduction of the divirse wishes,
the diverse wishes that result in the reproduction of the diverse passions,
the diverse passions that result in the reproduction of the diverse quests."

 

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^[1] Pari'āha. PED: [pari+ḍāha of ḍah, cp. pariḍahati. On change of ḍ and ' see Geiger, Pāli Gr. § 42³] burning, fever; fig. fever of passion, consumption, distress, pain ? > laha? to lick.

^[2] Pariyesanā. (f.) and -na (nt.) [from pariyesati] search, quest, inquiry

^[3]Rūpasaṃkappa. A tiny tad awk-word for me to be hanging on to my preferred translation of saṃkappa. It should be heard: "principles with regard to form, sound,...", "that which is fitting with regard to form", "attitudes, ideas, notions, aims and purposes that fit ones views with regard to what is propper with regard to form" etc. I think Bhk. Bodhi's 'intentions' is off the mark with regard to this term. Mine works much better with 'sound.'