Saṃyutta Nikaya
Nidāna Vagga
14. [3.] Dhātu-Saṃyuttaṃ
I. Nānattavaggo Pathamo
i. Ajjhatta-pañcakaṃ
Chapter XIV
Connected Discourses on Elements
1 Diversity (External Pentad)
Sutta 7
Saññā [Pariyesanā-Nānatta] Suttaṃ
Diversity of Perceptions
Translated by Bhikkhu Bodhi
Copyright Wisdom Publications.
Reproduced with permission.
[1][pts][olds] Thus have I heard. On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling at Sāvatthi in Jeta's Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika's Park.[ed1]
"Bhikkhus, it is in dependence on the diversity of elements that there arises the diversity of perceptions;
in dependence on the diversity of perceptions that there arises the diversity of intentions;
in dependence on the diversity of intentions that there arises the diversity of desires;
in dependence on the diversity of desires that there arises the diversity of passions;
in dependence on the diversity of passions that there arises the diversity of quests.
"And what, bhikkhus, is the diversity of elements?
The form element;
the sound element;
the odour element;
the taste element;
the tactile-object element;[ed2]
the mental-phenomena element.
This, bhikkhus, is called the diversity in elements."
"And how is it, bhikkhus, that in dependence on the diversity of elements there arises the diversity of perceptions;
in dependence on the diversity of perceptions there arises the diversity of intentions;
in dependence on the diversity of intentions there arises the diversity of desires;
in dependence on the diversity of desires there arises the diversity of passions;
that in dependence on the diversity of passions there arises the diversity of quests?
"In dependence on the form element there arises perception of form;
in dependence on perception of form there arises intention regarding form;
in dependence on intention regarding form there arises desire for form;
in dependence on desire for form there arises passion for form;
in dependence on passion for form there arises the quest for form.[1]
[ed1] Abbreviated Nidana expanded throughout this samyutta.
[ed2] Bhk. Bodhi includes italicized bracketed items by reference only.
[1] [227] Spk: Perception of form (rūpasaññā): the perception associated with eye-consciousness. Intention regarding form (rūpa-saºkappa): the intention associated with three cittas — the receiving, (investigating, and determining cittas). Desire for form (rūpacchanda): desire in the sense of desirousness for form. Passion for form (rūpapari'āha): passion (lit. "fever") in the sense of a burning in regard to form [Spk-pt: for the fire of lust, etc., has the function of "burning up" its own support]. The quest for form (rūpapariyesanā): searching in order to obtain that form, having taken along one's friends and comrades. Passion and the quest are found in different javana processes (so that passion can become an antecedent condition for the quest).
