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← Saṃyutta Nikāya

Not Knowing Consciousness

SN 33.5 · Viññāṇaaññāṇasutta

Clear spring water flowing across ascending natural limestone terraces.

At Sāvatthī.

Then the wanderer Vacchagotta said to the Buddha:

“What is the cause, worthy Gotama, what is the reason why these various misconceptions arise in the world? …”

“Vaccha, it is because of not knowing consciousness, its origin, its cessation, and the practice that leads to its cessation …”

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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.