iii. Ayatana Pabba (Section on Sense Bases)

And again, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu dwells perceiving again and again the six internal and external sense bases (ayatana) note81 as just the six internal and external sense bases (not mine, not I, not self, but just as phenomena). And how, bhikkhus, does a bhikkhu dwell perceiving again and again the six internal and external sense bases as just the six internal and external sense bases?

Here (in this teaching), bhikkhus, a bhikkhu knows the eye and the visible objects and the fetter that arises dependent on both. He also knows how the fetter which has not yet arisen comes to arise; he knows how the fetter that has arisen comes to be discarded; and he knows how the discarded fetter that has arisen comes to be discarded; and he knows how the discarded fetter will not arise in the future.note82

He knows the ear and sounds and the fetter that arises dependent on both. He also knows how the fetter which has not yet arisen comes to arise; he knows how the fetter that has arisen comes to be discarded; and he knows how the discarded fetter will not arise in the future.

He knows the nose and odours and the fetter that arises dependent on both. He also knows how the fetter which has not yet arisen comes to arise; he knows how the fetter that has arisen comes to be discarded; and he knows how the discarded fetter will not arise in the future.

He knows the tongue and tastes and the fetter that arises dependent on both. He also knows how the fetter which has not yet arisen comes to arise; he knows how the fetter that has arisen comes to be discarded; and he knows how the discarded fetter will not arise in the future.

He knows the body and tactile objects and the fetter that arises dependent on both. He also knows how the fetter which has not yet arisen comes to arise; he knows how the fetter that has arisen comes to be discarded; and he knows how the discarded fetter will not arise in the future.

He knows the mind and mind objects (dhamma) and the fetter that arises dependent on both. He also knows how the fetter which has not yet arisen comes to arise; he knows how the fetter that has arisen comes to be discarded; and he knows how the discarded fetter will not arise in the future.

Thus he dwells perceiving again and again dhammas as just dhammas (not mine, not I, not self, but just as phenomena) in himself note83…. Being detached from craving and wrong views he dwells without clinging to anything in the world. Thus, bhikkhus, in this way a bhikkhu dwells perceiving again and again the six internal and external sense bases as just the six internal and external sense bases.