5.
The Discourse on "I Am Superior"
108.
"When what exists, monks, clinging to what, having clung to what, does one think 'I am superior' or 'I am equal' or 'I am inferior'?"
"The teachings have the Blessed One as their root, venerable sir.
"When the eye exists, monks, clinging to the eye, having clung to the eye, one thinks 'I am superior' or 'I am equal' or 'I am inferior.' Etc. When there is the tongue... etc. When the mind exists, clinging to the mind, having clung to the mind, one thinks 'I am superior' or 'I am equal' or 'I am inferior.' What do you think, monks, is the eye permanent or impermanent?"
"Impermanent, venerable sir."
"But what is impermanent, is that suffering or happiness?"
"Suffering, venerable sir."
"But what is impermanent, suffering, subject to change, would one by non-clinging to that think 'I am superior' or 'I am equal' or 'I am inferior'?"
"No indeed, Venerable Sir." Etc. The tongue... Is the body permanent or impermanent?"
"Impermanent, venerable sir." Etc.
"Is the mind permanent or impermanent?"
"Impermanent, venerable sir."
"But what is impermanent, is that suffering or happiness?"
"Suffering, venerable sir."
"But what is impermanent, suffering, subject to change, would one by non-clinging to that think 'I am superior' or 'I am equal' or 'I am inferior'?"
"No, Venerable Sir."
"Seeing thus, monks, a learned noble disciple becomes disenchanted with the eye, etc. becomes disenchanted with the mind. Being disenchanted, he becomes dispassionate; through dispassion, he becomes liberated; when liberated, there is the knowledge: 'Liberated.' He understands: 'Birth is eliminated, the holy life has been lived, what had to be done has been done, there is no more coming back to any state of being.'" The fifth.