Impermanence

AN 6.98 · Aniccasutta

A calm brown horse stands among pale grasses near a wooded slope.

“Mendicants, it is quite impossible for a mendicant who regards any condition as permanent to accept views that conform with the teaching. Without accepting views that conform with the teaching, it’s impossible to step into the sure path. Without stepping into the sure path, it’s impossible to realize the fruit of stream-entry, once-return, non-return, or perfection.

It’s quite possible for a mendicant who regards all conditions as impermanent to accept views that conform with the teaching. Having accepted views that conform with the teaching, it’s possible to step into the sure path. Having stepped into the sure path, it’s possible to realize the fruit of stream-entry, once-return, non-return, or perfection.”

Connections

Collection & context

Aṅguttara NikāyaThe collection containing this text
The Pāli canonCanonical collection in which this edition is preserved
Theravāda traditionsTransmission and study context
The early Buddhist communityHistorical and traditional setting

Books

The Numerical Discourses of the Buddha: A Translation of the Aṅguttara NikāyaBhikkhu Bodhi; Bhikkhu Bodhi (translator) · Complete collection edition

About this edition

Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato · SuttaCentral · CC0

This translation is an expression of an ancient spiritual text that has been passed down by the Buddhist tradition for the benefit of all sentient beings. It is dedicated to the public domain via Creative Commons Zero (CC0). You are encouraged to copy, reproduce, adapt, alter, or otherwise make use of this translation. The translator respectfully requests that any use be in accordance with the values and principles of the Buddhist community. In particular, please do not use this work in AI training datasets, for the development of any AI model or algorithm, or in any AI-derived technologies.

Published source. Translation wording and order are preserved; source headings and notes are retained, with navigation and formatting adapted for this reader.

The opening image is AI-generated nature artwork for Buddhist Atlas, an evocative companion rather than a historical depiction.