Nandakovādasutta

Suttapiṭaka · Majjhimanikāya · Vol. 14 · Section 770

[770] "What do you think, sisters — are forms (rūpā) 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 of a nature to change — is it fitting to regard it thus: 'This is mine, this I am, this is my self'?" "Certainly not, venerable sir." "What do you think, sisters — are sounds permanent or impermanent?" "Impermanent, venerable sir." … "Are odors permanent or impermanent?" "Impermanent, venerable sir." … "Are tastes permanent or impermanent?" "Impermanent, venerable sir." … "Are tangibles permanent or impermanent?" "Impermanent, venerable sir." … "Are mind-objects (dhammā) 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 of a nature to change — is it fitting to regard it thus: 'This is mine, this I am, this is my self'?" "Certainly not, venerable sir." "Why is that?" "Because, venerable sir, we have already clearly seen this as it really is with right wisdom: 'Thus too these six external sense bases (āyatana) are impermanent.'" "Good, good, sisters! So indeed it is, sisters, for a noble disciple who sees as it really is with right wisdom."

English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.

This passage also appears in 4 other places