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← Saṃyutta Nikāya

Ends

SN 22.103 · Antasutta

Braided river channels flowing around pale gravel islands.

At Sāvatthī.

“Mendicants, there are these four ends. What four? The end that is substantial reality, the end that is the origin of substantial reality, the end that is the cessation of substantial reality, and the end that is the practice that leads to the cessation of substantial reality. And what is the end that is substantial reality? It should be said: the five grasping aggregates. What five? That is, the grasping aggregates of form, feeling, perception, choices, and consciousness. This is called the end that is substantial reality.

And what is the end that is the origin of substantial reality? It’s the craving that leads to future lives, mixed up with relishing and greed, taking pleasure there wherever it alights. That is, craving for sensual pleasures, craving for existence, and craving for nonexistence. This is called the end that is the origin of substantial reality.

And what is the end that is the cessation of substantial reality? It’s the fading away and cessation of that very same craving no residue left behind; giving it away, letting it go, releasing it, and not clinging to it. This is called the end that is the cessation of substantial reality.

And what is the end that is the practice that leads to the cessation of substantial reality? It is simply this noble eightfold path, that is: right view, right purpose, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right immersion. This is called the end that is the practice that leads to the cessation of substantial reality. These are the four ends.”

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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.

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