[284] "Bhikkhus, if there were a self, would there be [the thought], 'There is what belongs to my self (attaniya)'?"
"Yes, venerable sir."
"And bhikkhus, if there were what belongs to a self, would there be [the thought], 'There is my self'?"
"Yes, venerable sir."
"Bhikkhus, since a self and what belongs to a self are not apprehended as true and established, then this standpoint for views (diṭṭhiṭṭhāna), namely: 'That is the world, that is the self; after death I shall be permanent, stable, eternal, not subject to change; I shall endure just so, for as long as eternity' — is this not an entirely and completely foolish teaching?"
"What else could it be, venerable sir? It is indeed an entirely and completely foolish teaching."
"What do you think, bhikkhus: is form permanent or impermanent?"
"Impermanent, venerable sir."
"And that which is impermanent — is it suffering (dukkha) or happiness?"
"Suffering, venerable sir."
"And that which is impermanent, suffering, and subject to change — is it fit to be regarded thus: 'This is mine, this I am, this is my self'?"
"No indeed, venerable sir."
"What do you think, bhikkhus: is feeling (vedanā) … perception … volitional formations … consciousness permanent or impermanent?"
"Impermanent, venerable sir."
"And that which is impermanent — is it suffering or happiness?"
"Suffering, venerable sir."
"And that which is impermanent, suffering, and subject to change — is it fit to be regarded thus: 'This is mine, this I am, this is my self'?"
"No indeed, venerable sir."
"Therefore, bhikkhus, whatever form there is — past, future, or present; internal or external; gross or subtle; inferior or superior; whether far or near — all form should be seen as it really is with right wisdom thus: 'This is not mine, this I am not, this is not my self.' Whatever feeling … whatever perception … whatever volitional formations … whatever consciousness there is — past, future, or present; internal or external; gross or subtle; inferior or superior; whether far or near — all consciousness should be seen as it really is with right wisdom thus: 'This is not mine, this I am not, this is not my self.'"
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.