At Sāvatthī.
“Mendicants, when what exists, because of grasping what, do pleasure and pain arise in oneself?”
“Our teachings are rooted in the Buddha. …”
“When form exists, because of grasping form, pleasure and pain arise in oneself. When feeling … perception … choices … consciousness exists, because of grasping consciousness, pleasure and pain arise in oneself.
What do you think, mendicants? Is form permanent or impermanent?”
“Impermanent, sir.”
“But if it’s impermanent, is it suffering or happiness?”
“Suffering, sir.”
“But by not grasping what’s impermanent, suffering, and perishable, would pleasure and pain arise in oneself?”
“No, sir.”
“Is feeling … perception … choices … consciousness permanent or impermanent?”
“Impermanent, sir.”
“But if it’s impermanent, is it suffering or happiness?”
“Suffering, sir.”
“But by not grasping what’s impermanent, suffering, and perishable, would pleasure and pain arise in oneself?”
“No, sir.”
“Seeing this … They understand: ‘… there is nothing further for this place.’”