7.
The Discourse on Soṇa
49.
Thus have I heard -
On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling at Rājagaha in the Bamboo Grove, the Squirrels' Feeding Ground.
Then Soṇa, a householder's son, approached the Blessed One, etc.
To Soṇa, the householder's son, seated to one side, the Blessed One said this:
"For whoever, Soṇa, whether ascetics or brahmins, regard impermanent matter, which is suffering and subject to change, as 'I am superior'; or regard as 'I am equal'; or regard as 'I am inferior'; what else could it be but not seeing as it really is? With impermanent feeling, which is suffering and subject to change, they regard as 'I am superior'; or regard as 'I am equal'; or regard as 'I am inferior'; what else could it be but not seeing as it really is? With impermanent perception, etc. With impermanent activities, which are suffering and subject to change, they regard as 'I am superior'; or regard as 'I am equal'; or regard as 'I am inferior'; what else could it be but not seeing as it really is? With impermanent consciousness, which is suffering and subject to change, they regard as 'I am superior'; or regard as 'I am equal'; or regard as 'I am inferior'; what else could it be but not seeing as it really is?
"But whoever, Soṇa, whether ascetics or brahmins, with impermanent matter, which is suffering and subject to change, do not regard as 'I am superior'; do not regard as 'I am equal'; do not regard as 'I am inferior'; what else could it be but seeing as it really is? With impermanent feeling, etc. with impermanent perception, etc. with impermanent activities, etc. with impermanent consciousness, which is suffering and subject to change, they do not regard as 'I am superior'; do not regard as 'I am equal'; do not regard as 'I am inferior'; what else could it be but seeing as it really is?
"What do you think, Soṇa, is materiality 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, is it proper to regard that: 'This is mine, this I am, this is my self'?" "No, Venerable Sir." "Is feeling permanent or impermanent?" "Impermanent, venerable sir." perception... activities... consciousness 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, is it proper to regard that: 'This is mine, this I am, this is my self'?" "No, Venerable Sir."
"Therefore, Soṇa, whatever materiality, past, future, or present, internal or external, gross or subtle, inferior or superior, whether far or near, all materiality - 'This is not mine, this I am not, this is not my self' - thus this should be seen as it really is with right wisdom.
"Whatever feeling... whatever perception... whatever activities... whatever consciousness, past, future, or present, internal or external, gross or subtle, inferior or superior, whether far or near, all consciousness - 'This is not mine, this I am not, this is not my self' - thus this should be seen as it really is with right wisdom.
"Seeing thus, Soṇa, a learned noble disciple becomes disenchanted with materiality, becomes disenchanted with feeling, becomes disenchanted with perception, becomes disenchanted with activities, becomes disenchanted with consciousness. 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 seventh.