[238] Bhikkhus, if wanderers of other sects (aññatitthiyā paribbājakā) should ask you thus: "For what purpose, friends, is the holy life (brahmacariya) lived under the ascetic Gotama?" — being asked thus, bhikkhus, you should answer those wanderers of other sects thus: "It is for the full understanding (pariññā) of suffering (dukkha), friends, that the holy life is lived under the Blessed One."
But if, bhikkhus, wanderers of other sects should ask you thus: "And what, friends, is that suffering for the full understanding of which the holy life is lived under the ascetic Gotama?" — being asked thus, bhikkhus, you should answer those wanderers of other sects thus: "The eye, friends, is suffering; it is for the full understanding of that that the holy life is lived under the Blessed One. Forms are suffering; it is for the full understanding of them that the holy life is lived under the Blessed One. Eye-consciousness is suffering; it is for the full understanding of that that the holy life is lived under the Blessed One. Eye-contact (phassa) is suffering; it is for the full understanding of that that the holy life is lived under the Blessed One. And whatever feeling (vedanā) arises with eye-contact as condition — whether pleasant, painful, or neither-painful-nor-pleasant — that too is suffering; it is for the full understanding of that that the holy life is lived under the Blessed One. … The tongue is suffering … the mind is suffering; it is for the full understanding of that that the holy life is lived under the Blessed One. … And whatever feeling arises with mind-contact as condition — whether pleasant, painful, or neither-painful-nor-pleasant — that too is suffering; it is for the full understanding of that that the holy life is lived under the Blessed One. This, friends, is the suffering for the full understanding of which the holy life is lived under the Blessed One."
Being asked thus, bhikkhus, you should answer those wanderers of other sects thus.
The seventh.
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.