7.
The Discourse on the Purpose of the Holy Life
152.
"If, monks, heterodox wandering ascetics were to ask you thus -
'For what purpose, friend, is the holy life lived under the ascetic Gotama?'
Thus asked, you, monks, should answer those heterodox wandering ascetics thus -
'For the full understanding of suffering, friend, the holy life is lived under the Blessed One.'
But if, monks, heterodox wandering ascetics were to ask you thus -
'But which, friend, is that suffering, for the full understanding of which the holy life is lived under the ascetic Gotama?'
Thus asked, you, monks, should answer those heterodox wandering ascetics thus -
"The eye, friend, is suffering; for the full understanding of that, the holy life is lived under the Blessed One. Material forms are suffering; for the full understanding of them, the holy life is lived under the Blessed One. Eye-consciousness is suffering; for the full understanding of that, the holy life is lived under the Blessed One. Eye-contact is suffering; for the full understanding of that, the holy life is lived under the Blessed One. Whatever feeling arises with eye-contact as condition - whether pleasant or unpleasant or neither-unpleasant-nor-pleasant - that too is suffering; for the full understanding of that, the holy life is lived under the Blessed One, etc. the tongue is suffering... the mind is suffering; for the full understanding of that, the holy life is lived under the Blessed One, etc. whatever feeling arises with mind-contact as condition - whether pleasant or unpleasant or neither-unpleasant-nor-pleasant - that too is suffering; for the full understanding of that, the holy life is lived under the Blessed One. This, friend, is that suffering; for the full understanding of which the holy life is lived under the Blessed One.' Thus asked, you, monks, should answer those heterodox wandering ascetics thus." The seventh.