Saṃyutta Nikāya
4. Saḷāyatana Vagga
35. Saḷāyatana Saṃyutta
§ II: Paññāsaka Dutiya
3. Gilāna Vagga
Sutta 82
Loka Sutta
The World
Translated from the Pali by Thanissaro Bhikkhu.
Proofed against and modified in accordance with the revised edition at dhammatalks.org
Provenance, terms and conditons
[1][pts][bodh] Then a certain monk went to the Blessed One and, on arrival, having bowed down to him, sat to one side.
As he was sitting there, he said to the Blessed One:
"'The world, the world [loka],' it is said.
In what respect does the word 'world' apply?"
"Insofar as it disintegrates [lujjati], monk, it is called the 'world.'
Now what disintegrates?
The eye disintegrates.
Forms disintegrate.
Eye-consciousness disintegrates.
Eye-contact disintegrates.
And whatever there is that arises in dependence on eye-contact — experienced as pleasure, pain or neither-pleasure-nor-pain — that too disintegrates.
"The ear disintegrates.
Sounds disintegrate...
"The nose disintegrates.
Aromas disintegrate...
"The tongue disintegrates.
Tastes disintegrate...
"The body disintegrates.
Tactile sensations disintegrate...
"The intellect disintegrates.
Ideas disintegrate.
Intellect-consciousness disintegrates.
Intellect-contact disintegrates.
And whatever there is that arises in dependence on intellect-contact — experienced as pleasure, pain or neither-pleasure-nor-pain — that too disintegrates.
"Insofar as it disintegrates, it is called the 'world.'"
[Because the word loka can also mean 'cosmos,' this discourse can also be translated as follows:]
Then a certain monk went to the Blessed One and, on arrival, having bowed down to him, sat to one side.
As he was sitting there, he said to the Blessed One:
"'The cosmos, the cosmos [loka],' it is said.
In what respect does the word 'cosmos' apply?"
"Insofar as it disintegrates [lujjati], monk, it is called the 'cosmos.'
Now what disintegrates?
The eye disintegrates.
Forms disintegrate.
Eye-consciousness disintegrates.
Eye-contact disintegrates.
And whatever there is that arises in dependence on eye-contact — experienced as pleasure, pain or neither-pleasure-nor-pain — that too disintegrates.
"The ear disintegrates.
Sounds disintegrate...
"The nose disintegrates.
Aromas disintegrate...
"The tongue disintegrates.
Tastes disintegrate...
"The body disintegrates.
Tactile sensations disintegrate...
"The intellect disintegrates.
Ideas disintegrate.
Intellect-consciousness disintegrates.
Intellect-contact disintegrates.
And whatever there is that arises in dependence on intellect-contact — experienced as pleasure, pain or neither-pleasure-nor-pain — that too disintegrates.
"Insofar as it disintegrates, it is called the 'cosmos.'"[1]
[1] For alternative definition of "world/cosmos," see AN 9:38.
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