[291] "Whether you understand, Susima, or whether you do not understand, still: first comes knowledge (ñāṇa) of the stability of the Dhamma (dhammaṭṭhitiñāṇa), afterwards knowledge of Nibbāna. What do you think, Susima — is form (rūpa) 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 (vipariṇāmadhamma) — is it fitting to regard it thus: 'This is mine, this I am, this is my self'?"
"No indeed, venerable sir."
"Is feeling (vedanā) 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 fitting to regard it thus: 'This is mine, this I am, this is my self'?"
"No indeed, venerable sir."
"Is perception (saññā) permanent or impermanent?"
"Impermanent, venerable sir." …
"Are volitional formations (saṅkhārā) 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 fitting to regard it thus: 'This is mine, this I am, this is my self'?"
"No indeed, venerable sir."
"Is consciousness (viññāṇa) 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 fitting to regard it thus: 'This is mine, this I am, this is my self'?"
"No indeed, venerable sir."
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.