The six external sense objects and their own cause declared suffering, closing on the matrix's compressed formula
Length
under 1 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
★★☆☆☆ — the same argument, its second external term
Why this discourse
This discourse applies the same word-substitution technique the internal half already demonstrated (SN 35.140 to SN 35.141) to the external half now underway: suffering (dukkha) replaces impermanence (anicca) throughout, for sights through ideas and for their own cause alike. One discourse remains after this one before Devadahavagga's own matrix, and the vagga itself, close.
Reading guide
The same substitution, applied externally
Sights are suffering; the cause and reason that gives rise to sights is also suffering; since sights are produced by what is suffering, how could they be happiness? — SN 35.141's own reasoning, now run across the six external objects instead of the six internal bases.
Suffering, once more as structure
As with SN 35.141, dukkha here names a structural consequence of being produced by what is impermanent, not a report of felt pain in a sight or sound itself — the same logical category, now completing its second application within the matrix.
One discourse from the vagga's own close
This is the matrix's fifth of six pieces. The sixth, SN 35.145 immediately ahead, will complete both the external triad and the vagga itself, restoring the full closing formula this discourse's own compressed version still withholds.
Key terms
rūpā, bhikkhave, dukkhā — mendicants, sights are suffering — the same structural claim as SN 35.141, now applied externally
dukkhasambhūtā...kuto sukhā bhavissanti — produced by what is suffering, how could they be happiness? — the object-side counterpart of SN 35.141's own rhetorical question
saddā...gandhā...rasā...phoṭṭhabbā — sounds, smells, tastes, touches — the same shared ellipsis as the previous discourse
evaṁ passaṁ …pe… — seeing this … — the compressed formula, one discourse away from being restored in full
anicca(143) → dukkha(144) → anattā(145) — the external triad's own three steps, this discourse occupying the middle position
The text
The complete discourse: the six external sense objects and their own cause declared suffering, closing on the matrix's compressed formula. Translation: Bhikkhu Sujato (CC0, SuttaCentral).
§1“Mendicants, sights are suffering. The cause and reason that gives rise to sights is also suffering. Since sights are produced by what is suffering, how could they be happiness? Sounds … Smells … Tastes … Touches … Ideas are suffering. The cause and reason that gives rise to ideas is also suffering. Since ideas are produced by what is suffering, how could they be happiness?
§2Seeing this … They understand: ‘… there is nothing further for this place.’”
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Self-check quiz
5 questions. Click an answer to see immediate feedback. No score is recorded — this is for your own checking.
Question 1 of 5
What substitution does this discourse make compared to SN 35.143?
Correct: A. The same technique SN 35.141 already demonstrated for the internal bases.
Question 2 of 5
In this discourse's own logic, what does calling sights 'suffering' mean?
Correct: A. The same logical category as SN 35.141's own internal-half claim.
Question 3 of 5
How many discourses remain in the matrix after this one?
Correct: A. The matrix's fifth of six pieces.
Question 4 of 5
What formula does this discourse use to close, and how does that compare to what SN 35.145 will do?
Correct: A. The matrix's opening and closing discourses both give the formula in full; the middle four compress it.
Question 5 of 5
What rhetorical question does this discourse ask about sights and their own cause?
Correct: A. The object-side counterpart of SN 35.141's own internal-half question.
