Reading guide
A third name for closely related ground
"When what exists, because of grasping what and insisting on what, does theory of self arise?" — attānudiṭṭhi shares obvious territory with SN 22.155's sakkāyadiṭṭhi, though the terms are not identical: attānudiṭṭhi emphasizes the theorizing about a self (view "following" or "pursuing" self), where sakkāyadiṭṭhi emphasizes the substantial reality being mistakenly constructed.
The identical mechanism, a third time
"When form exists, because of grasping form and insisting on form, theory of self arises" — exactly the same grasping-and-insisting conditions traced for wrong view generally and substantialist view specifically, now shown to produce this third, closely related label as well.
What three terms sharing one mechanism accomplishes
By this point, having traced micchādiṭṭhi, sakkāyadiṭṭhi, and attānudiṭṭhi all to the identical source, this vagga makes a cumulative point that no single discourse could make alone: the book's varied technical vocabulary for self-related error is not describing three different mental events but three different names given to a single recurring phenomenon, viewed and labeled from slightly different angles.
Turning to fetters and shackles
This discourse's own closing examination completes the vagga's opening view-focused sequence; SN 22.157-158 will shift from views specifically to the broader consequences of grasping — fetters, insistence, shackles, and attachments — before SN 22.159 closes both the vagga and SN22 itself with the discourse to Ānanda.
Key terms
The text
§1At Sāvatthī. “Mendicants, when what exists, because of grasping what and insisting on what, does theory of self arise?” “Our teachings are rooted in the Buddha. …”
§2“When form exists, because of grasping form and insisting on form, theory of self arises. When feeling … perception … choices … consciousness exists, because of grasping consciousness and insisting on consciousness, theory of self arises.
§3What do you think, mendicants? Is form permanent or impermanent?” “Impermanent, sir.” … “But by not grasping what’s impermanent, suffering, and perishable, would theory of self arise?” “No, sir.”
§4“Is feeling … perception … choices … consciousness permanent or impermanent?” “Impermanent, sir.” … “But by not grasping what’s impermanent, suffering, and perishable, would theory of self arise?” “No, sir.” “Seeing this … They understand: ‘… there is nothing further for this place.’”
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