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← Saṃyutta Nikāya

Liable to Originate (3rd)

SN 22.128 · Tatiyasamudayadhammasutta

Gentle ripples across a mountain lake reflecting green hills and clouds.

At one time Venerable Sāriputta and Venerable Mahākoṭṭhita were staying near Varanasi in the deer park at Isipatana. …

Mahākoṭṭhita said to Sāriputta:

“Reverend Sāriputta, they speak of this thing called ‘knowledge’. What is knowledge? And how is a knowing one defined?”

“Reverend, it’s when a learned noble disciple truly understands form, which is liable to originate … liable to vanish … liable to originate and vanish, as form which is liable to originate and vanish.

They truly understand feeling … perception … choices … consciousness, which is liable to originate … liable to vanish … liable to originate and vanish, as consciousness which is liable to originate and vanish.

This is called knowledge. And this is how a knowing one is defined.”

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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.