Saṃyutta Nikāya
4. Saḷāyatana Vagga
35. Saḷāyatana Saṃyutta
§ IV: Paññāsaka Catuttha
1. Nandi-k-Khaya Vagga
Sutta 161
Paṭhama Koṭṭhita Suttaṃ (Anicca)
Translated from the Pāḷi
by
Michael M. Olds
Once upon a time in Rājagaha,
Jīvaka's Mangro Grove.[1]
Then the Ancient, Koṭṭhiko the Great, approached the Bhagava,
and there,
taking a seat to one side,
he said:
"It would be a good thing for me, Bhante,
if the Bhagava were to teach me Dhamma concisely.
Hearing Dhamma in this way from the Bhagava
I could live alone,
secluded,
without negligence,
ardently intent."
§
"That which is not settled,[2] Koṭṭhika
let go of wanting that.[3]
What, Koṭṭhika, is unsettled?
The eye, Koṭṭhika, is unsettled,
let go of wanting that.
The visible object is unsettled,
let go of wanting that.
Eye-consciousness is unsettled,
let go of wanting that.
Being in contact with eye is unsettled,
let go of wanting that.
That which appears as a reaction to eye-contact
in the form of pleasant sensation,
unpleasant sensation or
sensation that is neither unpleasant nor pleasant,
is unsettled,
let go of wanting that.
■
The ear, Koṭṭhika, is unsettled,
let go of wanting that.
The audible object is unsettled,
let go of wanting that.
Ear-Consciousness is unsettled,
let go of wanting that.
Being in contact with ear is unsettled,
let go of wanting that.
That which appears as a reaction to ear-contact
in the form of pleasant sensation,
unpleasant sensation or
sensation that is neither unpleasant nor pleasant,
is unsettled,
let go of wanting that.
■
The nose, Koṭṭhika, is unsettled,
let go of wanting that.
The scent object is unsettled,
let go of wanting that.
Nose-Consciousness is unsettled,
let go of wanting that.
Being in contact with the nose is unsettled,
let go of wanting that.
That which appears as a reaction to nose-contact
in the form of pleasant sensation,
unpleasant sensation or
sensation that is neither unpleasant nor pleasant,
is unsettled,
let go of wanting that.
■
The tongue, Koṭṭhika, is unsettled,
let go of wanting that.
The tasteable object is unsettled,
let go of wanting that.
Tongue-Consciousness is unsettled,
let go of wanting that.
Being in contact with the tongue is unsettled,
let go of wanting that.
That which appears as a reaction to tongue-contact
in the form of pleasant sensation,
unpleasant sensation or
sensation that is neither unpleasant nor pleasant,
is unsettled,
let go of wanting that.
■
The body, Koṭṭhika, is unsettled,
let go of wanting that.
The tangible object is unsettled,
let go of wanting that.
Bodily-Consciousness is unsettled,
let go of wanting that.
Being in contact with body is unsettled,
let go of wanting that.
That which appears as a reaction to body-contact
in the form of pleasant sensation,
unpleasant sensation or
sensation that is neither unpleasant nor pleasant,
is unsettled,
let go of wanting that.
■
The mind, Koṭṭhika, is unsettled,
let go of wanting that.
The mental object is unsettled,
let go of wanting that.
Mental-Consciousness is unsettled,
let go of wanting that.
Being in contact with mind is unsettled,
let go of wanting that.
That which appears as a reaction to mind-contact
in the form of pleasant sensation,
unpleasant sensation or
sensation that is neither unpleasant nor pleasant,
is unsettled,
let go of wanting that.
That which is not settled, Koṭṭhika
let go of wanting that."
[1] Nidana from next previous with Nidana; PTS#160
[2] Anicca: a = not, ni = down, ca = man-formed k-kha (from six, or the six senses). I hear this as 'not settled' (what PED hears as 'homely'). Not yet dumped in a lump. Then the more sophisticated meanings attach: not finished, not fixed, still subject to change, inconstant, impermanent.
[3] This is the "concisely taught Dhamma" (usually translated "teaching in brief"); the rest is elaboration. Or, it is sometimes said that everything the Buddha taught was taught concisely for he could elaborate endlessly from any point.
