Saṃyutta Nikaya
Nidāna Vagga
14. [3.] Dhātu-Saṃyuttaṃ
I. Nānattavaggo Pathamo
i. Ajjhatta-pañcakaṃ
Chapter XIV
Connected Discourses on Elements
1 Diversity (Internal Pentad)
Sutta 3
No ce tam [No Phassa-Nānatta] Suttaṃ
Not 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. The diversity of elements does not arise in dependence on the diversity of contacts."
"And what, bhikkhus, is the diversity of elements?
The eye element,
[form element,
eye-consciousness element;
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; that the diversity of elements does not arise in dependence on the diversity of contacts?
In dependence on the eye element there arises eye-contact; the eye element does not arise in dependence on eye-contact;
in dependence on the ear element there arises ear-contact; the ear element does not arise in dependence on ear-contact;
in dependence on the nose element there arises nose contact; the nose element does not arise in dependence on nose-contact;
in dependence on the tongue element there arises tongue-contact; the tongue element does not arise in dependence on tongue-contact;
in dependence on the body element there arises body-contact; the body element does not arise in dependence on body-contact;[ed2]
in dependence on the mind element there arises mind-contact; the mind element does not arise in dependence on mind-contact.[1]
It is in this way, bhikkhus, that in dependence on the diversity of elements there arises the diversity of contacts; that the diversity of elements does not arise in dependence on the diversity of contacts."
[ed1] Abbreviated Nidana expanded throughout this samyutta.
[ed2] Bhk. Bodhi includes italicized bracketed items by reference only.
[1] [n.226] Since, according to the Abhidhamma scheme of conditional relations, the mind element and its concomitant contact are mutually dependent, Spk is compelled to explain these terms in a way that does not place the sutta in contradiction with the Abhidhamma. Hence Spk says: "The functional mind-consciousness element with the function of adverting (i.e., the mind-door adverting citta) does not arise in dependence on the contact associated with the first javana in the mind door (which occurs subsequent to it)."
