Skip to reading
← Saṃyutta Nikāya

Insistence (2nd)

SN 22.158 · Dutiyaabhinivesasutta

Sunlit grass seed heads beside a quiet woodland path.

At Sāvatthī.

“Mendicants, when what exists, because of grasping what and insisting on what, do fetters, insistence, shackles, and attachments arise?”

“Our teachings are rooted in the Buddha. …”

“When form exists, because of grasping form and insisting on form, fetters, insistence, shackles, and attachments arise. When feeling … perception … choices … consciousness exists, because of grasping consciousness and insisting on consciousness, fetters, insistence, shackles, and attachments arise.

What do you think, mendicants? Is form permanent or impermanent?”

“Impermanent, sir.” …

“But by not grasping what’s impermanent, suffering, and perishable, would fetters, insistence, shackles, and attachments arise?”

“No, sir.”

“Seeing this … They understand: ‘… there is nothing further for this place.’”

Connections

Collection & context

Books

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.