[297] "Friend (āvuso), if the eye were the fetter (saññojana) of forms, or if forms were the fetter of the eye, then this living of the holy life (brahmacariya) for the complete destruction of suffering (dukkha) would not be discerned. But since, friend, the eye is not the fetter of forms, nor are forms the fetter of the eye — but rather the desire and lust (chandarāga) that arises there in dependence on both: that is the fetter there — therefore the living of the holy life for the complete destruction of suffering is discerned. …
"Friend, if the tongue were the fetter of tastes, or if tastes were the fetter of the tongue, then this living of the holy life for the complete destruction of suffering would not be discerned. But since, friend, the tongue is not the fetter of tastes, nor are tastes the fetter of the tongue — but rather the desire and lust that arises there in dependence on both: that is the fetter there — therefore the living of the holy life for the complete destruction of suffering is discerned. …
"Friend, if the mind (mano) were the fetter of mental phenomena (dhammā), or if mental phenomena were the fetter of the mind, then this living of the holy life for the complete destruction of suffering would not be discerned. But since, friend, the mind is not the fetter of mental phenomena, nor are mental phenomena the fetter of the mind — but rather the desire and lust that arises there in dependence on both: that is the fetter there — therefore the living of the holy life for the complete destruction of suffering is discerned.
"In this way too, friend, it may be understood how the eye is not the fetter of forms, nor forms the fetter of the eye — but rather the desire and lust that arises there in dependence on both: that is the fetter there … the tongue is not the fetter of tastes … the mind is not the fetter of mental phenomena, nor are mental phenomena the fetter of the mind; but rather the desire and lust that arises there in dependence on both: that is the fetter there."
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.