Reading guide
A new condition added: insisting, not only grasping
"When what exists, because of grasping what and insisting on what, does someone regard things like this: 'this is mine, I am this, this is my self'?" — where SN 22.150 named only grasping (upādāya), this discourse adds "insisting on" (abhinivissa), a term already familiar from SN 22.81's discussion of constructions built on the aggregates.
The formula traced to its source
"When form exists, because of grasping form and insisting on form... someone regards it like this: 'this is mine, I am this, this is my self'" — the discourse locates this familiar three-clause self-view precisely in the combination of an aggregate's existence, grasping it, and insisting on that grasp.
The same dismantling examination
"Is form permanent or impermanent? — Impermanent... But by not grasping what's impermanent, suffering, and perishable, would you regard it like this: 'this is mine, I am this, this is my self'? — No" — the identical three-question structure as SN 22.150, now applied to show this specific self-view formula cannot arise once grasping stops.
Why naming the formula's precise origin matters
Tracing this famous formula back to its exact conditions (existence + grasping + insisting) rather than treating it as a brute fact about how minds work gives practitioners a specific handle on it: since it depends on grasping and insisting, releasing those two conditions is sufficient to prevent the formula's arising, without needing to somehow will the thought itself away directly.
Key terms
The text
§1At Sāvatthī. “Mendicants, when what exists, because of grasping what and insisting on what, does someone regard things like this: ‘This is mine, I am this, this is my self’?” “Our teachings are rooted in the Buddha. …”
§2“When form exists, because of grasping form and insisting on form … When consciousness exists, because of grasping consciousness and insisting on consciousness, someone regards it like this: ‘This is mine, I am this, this is my self.’
§3What do you think, mendicants? Is form permanent or impermanent?” “Impermanent, sir.” … “But by not grasping what’s impermanent, suffering, and perishable, would you regard it like this: ‘This is mine, I am this, this is my self’?” “No, sir.”
§4“Is feeling … perception … choices … consciousness permanent or impermanent?” “Impermanent, sir.” … “But by not grasping what’s impermanent, suffering, and perishable, would you regard it like this: ‘This is mine, I am this, this is my self’?” “No, sir.” “Seeing this … They understand: ‘… there is nothing further for this place.’”
Self-check quiz
Ten questions. Click an answer to see immediate feedback. No score is recorded — this is for your own checking.