Saṃyutta Nikāya
II. Nidāna Vagga
14. Dhātu-Saṃyuttaṃ
I. Nānatta Vagga Paṭhama
1. Ajjhatta Pañcakaṃ
Chapter XIV
Connected Discourses on Elements
1 Diversity (Internal Pentad)
Sutta 2
Samphassa [Phassa-Nānatta] Suttaṃ
Diversity of Contacts
Translated by Bhikkhu Bodhi
Copyright Wisdom Publications.
Reproduced with permission.
[1][pts][olds] Thus have I heard. On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling at Sāvatthi in Jeta's Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika's Park.[ed1]
"Bhikkhus, it is in dependence on the diversity of elements that there arises the diversity of contacts."
"And what, bhikkhus, is the diversity of elements?
The eye element,
[form element,
eye-consciousness element;][ed2]
the ear element,
[sound element,
ear-consciousness element;]
the nose element,
[odour element,
nose-consciousness element;]
the tongue element
[taste element,
tongue-consciousness element;]
the body element
[tactile-object element,
body-consciousness element;]
the mind element,
[mental-phenomena element,
mind-consciousness element].
This is called the diversity in elements.'
"And how is it, bhikkhus, that in dependence on the diversity of elements there arises the diversity of contcts?
In dependence on the eye element there arises eye-contact;
in dependence on the ear element there arises ear-contact;
in dependence on the nose element there arises nose contact;
in dependence on the tongue element there arises tongue-contact;
in dependence on the body element there arises body-contact;
in dependence on the mind element there arises mind-contact.[1]
It is in this way, bhikkhus, that in dependence on the diversity of elements there arises the diversity of contacts."
[ed1] Abbreviated Nidana expanded throughout this samyutta.
[ed2] Bhk. Bodhi includes italicized bracketed items by reference only.
[1] [n.225] Spk: Eye-contact, etc., are associated with eye-consciousness, etc. Mind-contact is that associated with the first javana in the mind door; therefore when it is said, in dependence on the mind element there arises mind contact, this means that the contact of the first javana arises in dependence on the functional mind-consciousness element, i.e., the mind-door adverting citta.
On javana, see CMA 3:9, 4:12-16, and on the mind-door adverting citta, see CMA 1:10, 3:9.
