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← Itivuttaka

Feelings (2nd)

Iti 53 · Dutiyavedanāsutta

Two mature trees growing beside each other on a quiet meadow edge.

This was said by the Buddha, the Perfected One: that is what I heard.

“Mendicants, there are these three feelings. What three? Pleasant, painful, and neutral feeling. Pleasant feeling should be seen as suffering. Painful feeling should be seen as a dart. Neutral feeling should be seen as impermanent. When a mendicant has seen these three feelings in this way, they’re called a noble mendicant who sees rightly, has cut off craving, cast off the fetters, and by rightly comprehending conceit has made an end of suffering.”

The Buddha spoke this matter. On this it is said:

“A mendicant who sees pleasure as pain, and suffering as a dart, and that peaceful, neutral feeling as impermanent

sees rightly. And when freed in regards to that, that peaceful sage, with perfect insight, has truly slipped their yokes.”

This too is a matter that was spoken by the Blessed One: that is what I heard.

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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.