[158] "Bhikkhus, when what exists, by clinging (upādāya) to what, by adhering (abhinivissa) to what, does it occur to one: 'I am superior,' or 'I am equal,' or 'I am inferior'?"
"Venerable sir, our teachings are rooted in the Blessed One (bhagavaṃmūlakā no bhante dhammā)."
"Bhikkhus, when the eye exists, by clinging to the eye, by adhering to the eye, it occurs to one: 'I am superior,' or 'I am equal,' or 'I am inferior' … When the tongue exists … When the mind (mano) exists, by clinging to the mind, by adhering to the mind, it occurs to one: 'I am superior,' or 'I am equal,' or 'I am inferior.'
"What do you think, bhikkhus — is the eye 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, subject to change — without clinging to it, could it occur to one: 'I am superior,' or 'I am equal,' or 'I am inferior'?"
"Certainly not, venerable sir." …
"Is the tongue permanent or impermanent?"
"Impermanent, venerable sir." …
"Is the mind 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, subject to change — without clinging to it, could it occur to one: 'I am superior,' or 'I am equal,' or 'I am inferior'?"
"Certainly not, venerable sir."
"Seeing thus, bhikkhus, the instructed noble disciple becomes disenchanted with the eye … becomes disenchanted with the tongue … becomes disenchanted with the mind. Being disenchanted, he becomes dispassionate; through dispassion he is liberated. When it is liberated, there is the knowledge (ñāṇa): 'It is liberated.' He understands: 'Birth (jāti) is destroyed, the holy life has been lived, what had to be done has been done, there is no more of this state of being.'"
The fifth.
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.