The complete corruption/renunciation/insight formula, spelled out in full one last time before compression begins at SN 27.4
Length
Under a minute to read
Northern parallel
A rough counterpart may exist in the Chinese Saṃyukta-āgama (T99), though this reading guide does not assert a specific matching sutra number
Difficulty
★☆☆☆☆ — brief and familiar after SN 27.1–2
Why this discourse
The third step in this saṃyutta's sequence, completing the eighteen elements together with SN 27.1–2 — and, notably, this saṃyutta's own last discourse given in full before compression begins. Where both SN 25 and SN 26 started compressing at this exact category, this saṃyutta holds off one discourse longer, compressing only from SN 27.4 onward.
Reading guide
Consciousness, completing the eighteen elements a third time
"Desire and greed for eye consciousness, ear consciousness, nose consciousness, tongue consciousness, body consciousness, or mind consciousness is a corruption of the mind" — the same six-consciousness set examined twice before, now given this saṃyutta's own corruption/renunciation formula in full.
A small but real structural difference from its two siblings
Both SN 25.3 and SN 26.3 marked the point where their own sources began compressing. This discourse instead receives the complete, unelided formula — this saṃyutta holds its full treatment one discourse longer than either sibling before compression sets in at SN 27.4.
Why this might be
This saṃyutta's own base formula is itself considerably shorter than SN 25's three-tier definition or SN 26's own doubled arising-and-cessation statement — a single compact paragraph rather than two parallel ones. A shorter base unit may simply tolerate one more discourse of full repetition before the source text's compiler judged compression worthwhile.
Seven categories still to come, now compressed
SN 27.4 through SN 27.9 will proceed through contact, feeling, perception, intention, craving, and the elements in compressed form, before SN 27.10 returns to full treatment for this saṃyutta's own close.
Key terms
cakkhuviññāṇa — eye-consciousness — the first of the six sense-consciousnesses named in this discourse
dhātu — element — faculty, object, and consciousness together comprise the classic eighteen elements
chandarāga — desire and greed — this saṃyutta's own standing corrupting factor
nekkhamma — renunciation — where the mind inclines once this corruption is given up
abhiññā — insight, direct knowledge — the work a renunciation-imbued mind becomes fit for
The text
The complete discourse: the six sense-consciousnesses named a corruption of the mind, given in full one last time before compression begins. Translation: Bhikkhu Sujato (CC0, SuttaCentral).
§1At Sāvatthī. “Mendicants, desire and greed for eye consciousness, ear consciousness, nose consciousness, tongue consciousness, body consciousness, or mind consciousness is a corruption of the mind. When a mendicant has given up mental corruption in these six cases, their mind inclines to renunciation. A mind imbued with renunciation is said to be fit for work regarding anything that can be realized by insight.”
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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 six items does this discourse examine?
Correct: A. Completing the eighteen elements together with SN 27.1–2.
Question 2 of 10
How does this discourse's treatment differ from SN 25.3 and SN 26.3's own treatment of the identical category?
Correct: A. A small but real structural difference between this saṃyutta and its two siblings.
Question 3 of 10
What possible reason does this reading guide suggest for this saṃyutta holding off compression one discourse longer?
Correct: A. A single compact paragraph rather than two parallel arising/cessation statements.
Question 4 of 10
At what discourse does this saṃyutta's own compression finally begin?
Correct: A. One discourse later than either SN 25 or SN 26's own compression point.
Question 5 of 10
What do SN 27.1, 27.2, and this discourse together comprise?
Correct: A. Six faculties, six objects, six consciousnesses.
Question 6 of 10
Where is this discourse set?
Correct: A. Matching the setting of most discourses in this saṃyutta.
Question 7 of 10
What seven categories will SN 27.4–9 proceed through, in compressed form?
Correct: A. Completing this saṃyutta's own ten-part sequence before SN 27.10 returns to full treatment.
Question 8 of 10
What is the first of the six sense-consciousnesses named in this discourse?
Correct: A. Followed by ear, nose, tongue, body, and mind consciousness.
Question 9 of 10
What discourse comes next in this saṃyutta's sequence?
Correct: A. Continuing the standard analytical chain, now compressed.
Question 10 of 10
What is this saṃyutta's own standing corrupting factor?
