Perceptions

1. At one time the Blessed One was living in the monastery offered by Anāthapiṇḍika in Jeta's grove in Sāvatthī.

2. “Bhikkhus, on account of the diversity of elements, arise the diverse perceptions. On account of diverse perceptions arise diverse thoughts. On account of diverse thoughts arise diverse interests. On account of diverse interests arise diverse burnings. On account of diverse burnings arise diverse searches.

3. “Bhikkhus, what are the diverse elements?

“They are the element of forms, the element of sounds, the element of scents, the element of tastes, the element of touches, and the element of ideas. Bhikkhus, these are the diverse elements.

4. “Bhikkhus, how do the diverse elements give rise to diverse perceptions? Diverse perceptions give rise to diverse thoughts? Diverse thoughts give rise to diverse interests? Diverse interests give rise to diverse burnings and diverse burnings give rise to diverse searches?

5-9. “Bhikkhus, on account of the element of forms arise perceptions of forms, on account of perceptions of forms arise thoughts about forms, on account of thoughts about forms arise interests about forms, on account of interests about forms arise burnings about forms, on account of burnings about forms arise searches about forms.

10. “Bhikkhus, on account of the element of ideas, arise perceptions of ideas, on account of perceptions of ideas arise thoughts about ideas, on account of thoughts about ideas arise interests about ideas, on account of interests about ideas arise burnings about ideas, on account of burnings about ideas arise searches about ideas.

11. “Bhikkhus, in this manner, diverse elements give rise to diverse perceptions. Diverse perceptions give rise to diverse thoughts. Diverse thoughts give rise to diverse interests. Diverse interests give rise to diverse burnings and diverse burnings give rise to diverse searches.