[1213] Opponent (paravādī): Should it not be said, "Only the five strands of sensual pleasure (kāmaguṇa) are the element of sensuality (kāmadhātu)"?
Theravādin (sakavādī): Yes.
Opponent: But was it not said by the Blessed One: "Bhikkhus, there are these five strands of sensual pleasure. Which five? Forms cognizable by the eye — wished for, desired, agreeable, pleasing, connected with sensuality, provocative of lust; sounds cognizable by the ear …; odours cognizable by the nose …; tastes cognizable by the tongue …; tangible objects cognizable by the body — wished for, desired, agreeable, pleasing, connected with sensuality, provocative of lust: these, bhikkhus, are the five strands of sensual pleasure"?¹ Does such a discourse (suttanta) really exist?
Theravādin: Yes.
Opponent: Well then, only the five strands of sensual pleasure are the element of sensuality.
Discussion of the Strands of Sensual Pleasure (Kāmaguṇakathā).
¹ Saṃ. Saḷāyatana. 291.
Discussion of Sensuality (Kāmakathā)
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.