The identical structure as SN 23.13, with suffering as the new characterizing term
Length
Very short — the closing formula elided
Northern parallel
Applies this vagga's established template to dukkha, the second of the three marks
Difficulty
Approachable — best read as part of this vagga's own catalog
Why this discourse
Continues this vagga's catalog to the second of the three marks: what is suffering? The aggregates, stated with the same bluntness already given to Māra and impermanence, confirming the catalog's method extends smoothly across each mark in turn.
Reading guide
A third term, the identical method
"They speak of 'suffering'. What is suffering?" — the same question-and-bare-answer structure as SN 23.13, now applied to dukkha rather than anicca.
Suffering stated as bluntly as its predecessors
"Form, feeling, perception, choices, and consciousness are suffering" — no elaboration, no simile, matching this vagga's own established directness.
A catalog moving steadily through the three marks
Having already given impermanence this treatment at SN 23.13-14, this discourse confirms the method applies equally to suffering — the middle term of the classic three-mark formula, here treated with the same economy as the first.
Setting up its own companion
SN 23.16 will ask about "liable to suffering" rather than suffering itself, repeating the same grammatical variation already seen twice in this vagga.
Key terms
dukkha — suffering — the characterizing term this discourse examines, the second of the three marks in this vagga's catalog
anicca — impermanent — the term examined in SN 23.13-14, the previous pair in this vagga's catalog
khandha — aggregate — form, feeling, perception, choices, and consciousness, each named as suffering
dukkhadhamma — liable to suffering — the grammatical variant SN 23.16 will examine next
peyyāla — an elision mark, compressing the standard closing formula throughout this vagga
The text
The complete discourse as given in the source, applying this vagga's established template to suffering. Translation: Bhikkhu Sujato (CC0, SuttaCentral).
§1At Sāvatthī. Seated to one side, Venerable Rādha said to the Buddha: “Sir, they speak of ‘suffering’. What is suffering?”
§2“Rādha, form, feeling, perception, choices, and consciousness are suffering.
§3Seeing this … They understand: ‘… there is nothing further for this place.’”
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Self-check quiz
Ten questions. Click an answer to see immediate feedback. No score is recorded — this is for your own checking.
Question 1 of 10
What characterizing term does this discourse examine, moving from SN 23.13-14's own impermanence?
Correct: A. The second of the three marks, now given this vagga's own treatment.
Question 2 of 10
How does the Buddha answer this discourse's question?
Correct: A. The same bluntness already given to Māra and impermanence.
Question 3 of 10
What does this discourse confirm about the vagga's method?
Correct: A. The method extends smoothly across all three marks.
Question 4 of 10
What discourse is this discourse's direct companion?
Correct: A. Repeating the same grammatical variation seen twice already in this vagga.
Question 5 of 10
How many aggregates does this discourse's identification apply to?
Correct: A. Form, feeling, perception, choices, and consciousness.
Question 6 of 10
How is the closing formula presented in this discourse?
Correct: A. Compressed throughout this vagga after SN 23.11's own full statement.
Question 7 of 10
What is dukkha's place in this book's own vocabulary?
Correct: A. Widely used throughout this book, now given this vagga's own compressed treatment.
Question 8 of 10
Where is this discourse set?
Correct: A. Matching SN 23.11-14's own setting.
Question 9 of 10
What term will this vagga's catalog move to after suffering?
Correct: A. The third and final of the three marks, continuing this vagga's systematic sequence.
Question 10 of 10
Who asks the question in this discourse?
Correct: A. Continuing this saṃyutta's own central questioner.
