[511] "'Identity, identity (sakkāya),' friend Sāriputta, it is said. What now, friend, is identity?"
"These five aggregates subject to clinging (upādānakkhandhā), friend, have been declared by the Blessed One to be identity; that is: the form (rūpa) aggregate subject to clinging, the feeling (vedanā) aggregate subject to clinging, the perception (saññā) aggregate subject to clinging, the volitional formations (saṅkhārā) aggregate subject to clinging, the consciousness (viññāṇa) aggregate subject to clinging. These five aggregates subject to clinging, friend, have been declared by the Blessed One to be identity."
"But is there, friend, a path (magga), is there a way of practice (paṭipadā), for the full understanding (pariññā) of this identity?"
"There is, friend, a path; there is a way of practice for the full understanding of this identity."
"What then, friend, is the path, what is the way of practice, for the full understanding of this identity?"
"It is just this Noble Eightfold Path, friend, for the full understanding of this identity; that is: right view … right concentration (samādhi). This, friend, is the path; this is the way of practice for the full understanding of this identity."
"Excellent, friend, is the path; excellent is the way of practice for the full understanding of this identity — and enough, friend Sāriputta, for diligence (appamāda)."
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.