5.
The Discourse on the Fingernail Tip
97.
At Sāvatthī.
Seated to one side, that monk said this to the Blessed One -
"Is there indeed, venerable sir, any materiality, which materiality is permanent, stable, eternal, not subject to change, and will remain the same for eternity?
Is there indeed, venerable sir, any feeling, which feeling is permanent, stable, eternal, not subject to change, and will remain the same for eternity?
Is there indeed, venerable sir, any perception... etc.
any activities, which activities are permanent, stable, eternal, not subject to change, and will remain the same for eternity?
Is there indeed, venerable sir, any consciousness, which consciousness is permanent, stable, eternal, not subject to change, and will remain the same for eternity?"
"There is not, monk, any materiality, which materiality is permanent, stable, eternal, not subject to change, and will remain the same for eternity.
There is not, monk, any feeling...
any perception...
any activities... etc.
any consciousness, which consciousness is permanent, stable, eternal, not subject to change, and will remain the same for eternity."
Then the Blessed One, having placed a small amount of soil on his fingernail, said this to that monk - "Even this much materiality, monk, is not permanent, stable, eternal, not subject to change, and will remain the same for eternity. If, monk, even this much materiality were permanent, stable, eternal, not subject to change, this abiding by the holy life would not be evident for the complete elimination of suffering. But because, monk, even this much materiality is not permanent, stable, eternal, not subject to change, therefore abiding by the holy life is evident for the complete elimination of suffering."
"Even this much feeling, monk, is not permanent, stable, eternal, not subject to change, and will remain the same for eternity. If, monk, even this much feeling were permanent, stable, eternal, not subject to change, this abiding by the holy life would not be evident for the complete elimination of suffering. But because, monk, even this much feeling is not permanent, stable, eternal, not subject to change, therefore abiding by the holy life is evident for the complete elimination of suffering.
"Even this much perception, monk, is not... etc. even this much activities, monk, are not permanent, stable, eternal, not subject to change, and will remain the same for eternity. If, monk, even this much activities were permanent, stable, eternal, not subject to change, this abiding by the holy life would not be evident for the complete elimination of suffering. But because, monk, even this much activities are not permanent, stable, eternal, not subject to change, therefore abiding by the holy life is evident for the complete elimination of suffering.
"Even this much consciousness, monk, is not permanent, stable, eternal, not subject to change, and will remain the same for eternity. If, monk, even this much consciousness were permanent, stable, eternal, not subject to change, this abiding by the holy life would not be evident for the complete elimination of suffering. But because, monk, even this much consciousness is not permanent, stable, eternal, not subject to change, therefore abiding by the holy life is evident for the complete elimination of suffering.
"What do you think, monk, is materiality permanent or impermanent?" "Impermanent, venerable sir." "Feeling... perception... activities... consciousness permanent or impermanent?" "Impermanent, venerable sir." Etc. "Therefore here... etc. Seeing thus... etc. He understands: ... there is no more coming back to any state of being.'" The fifth.