Samyutta Nikaya 355

Original text: Thus have I heard. At one time, the Buddha was staying in Śrāvastī, at the Jeta Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s Park. Then the Blessed One addressed the bhikkhus: "Aging-and-death should be known. The arising of aging-and-death should be known. The cessation of aging-and-death should be known. The way leading to the cessation of aging-and-death should be known. In the same way, birth should be known; the arising of birth should be known; the cessation of birth should be known; the way leading to the cessation of birth should be known. Existence should be known; the arising of existence should be known; the cessation of existence should be known; the way leading to the cessation of existence should be known. Clinging should be known; the arising of clinging should be known; the cessation of clinging should be known; the way leading to the cessation of clinging should be known. Craving should be known; the arising of craving should be known; the cessation of craving should be known; the way leading to the cessation of craving should be known. Feeling should be known; the arising of feeling should be known; the cessation of feeling should be known; the way leading to the cessation of feeling should be known. Contact should be known; the arising of contact should be known; the cessation of contact should be known; the way leading to the cessation of contact should be known. The six sense bases should be known; the arising of the six sense bases should be known; the cessation of the six sense bases should be known; the way leading to the cessation of the six sense bases should be known. Name-and-form should be known; the arising of name-and-form should be known; the cessation of name-and-form should be known; the way leading to the cessation of name-and-form should be known. Consciousness should be known; the arising of consciousness should be known; the cessation of consciousness should be known; the way leading to the cessation of consciousness should be known. Volitional formations should be known; the arising of volitional formations should be known; the cessation of volitional formations should be known; the way leading to the cessation of volitional formations should be known."

Explanation: The Blessed One told the bhikkhus that they should know aging-and-death, know the arising and cessation of aging-and-death, and know the way leading to the cessation of aging-and-death. In the same way, they should know birth, the arising of birth, the cessation of birth, and the way leading to the cessation of birth; know existence, the arising of existence, the cessation of existence, and the way leading to the cessation of existence; know clinging, the arising of clinging, the cessation of clinging, and the way leading to the cessation of clinging; know craving, the arising of craving, the cessation of craving, and the way leading to the cessation of craving; know feeling, the arising of feeling, the cessation of feeling, and the way leading to the cessation of feeling; know contact, the arising of contact, the cessation of contact, and the way leading to the cessation of contact; know the six sense bases, the arising of the six sense bases, the cessation of the six sense bases, and the way leading to the cessation of the six sense bases; know name-and-form, the arising of name-and-form, the cessation of name-and-form, and the way leading to the cessation of name-and-form; know consciousness, the arising of consciousness, the cessation of consciousness, and the way leading to the cessation of consciousness; know volitional formations, the arising of volitional formations, the cessation of volitional formations, and the way leading to the cessation of volitional formations.

Original text: How should aging-and-death be known? One should know that aging-and-death arises dependent on birth. Thus aging-and-death is known. How is the arising of aging-and-death known? It is known that with the arising of birth comes the arising of aging-and-death. Thus the arising of aging-and-death is known. How is the cessation of aging-and-death known? It is known that with the cessation of birth comes the cessation of aging-and-death. Thus the cessation of aging-and-death is known. How is the way leading to the cessation of aging-and-death known? It is known that the Noble Eightfold Path is the way leading to the cessation of aging-and-death. Thus the way leading to the cessation of aging-and-death is known. In the same way, how should volitional formations be known? It should be known that there are three kinds of volitional formations: bodily volitional formations, verbal volitional formations, and mental volitional formations. Thus volitional formations are known. How is the arising of volitional formations known? It is known that with the arising of ignorance comes the arising of volitional formations. Thus the arising of volitional formations is known. How is the cessation of volitional formations known? It is known that with the cessation of ignorance comes the cessation of volitional formations. Thus the cessation of volitional formations is known. How is the way leading to the cessation of volitional formations known? It is known that the Noble Eightfold Path is the way leading to the cessation of volitional formations. Thus the way leading to the cessation of volitional formations is known. When the Buddha had spoken this discourse, the bhikkhus, hearing what the Buddha had said, rejoiced and undertook it respectfully.

Explanation: How should aging-and-death be known? One should know that aging-and-death arises dependent on birth. Just as aging-and-death is known, knowing how aging-and-death arises, one knows that with the arising of birth comes the arising of aging-and-death. Just as the arising of aging-and-death is known, knowing how aging-and-death ceases, one knows that with the cessation of birth comes the cessation of aging-and-death. Just as the cessation of aging-and-death is known, knowing what the way leading to the cessation of aging-and-death is, one knows that the Noble Eightfold Path is the way leading to the cessation of aging-and-death. Just as the way leading to the cessation of aging-and-death is known, and so on, finally knowing what volitional formations are, one knows they are bodily, verbal, and mental volitional formations (actually the formations of the mind, as bodily, verbal, and mental formations cannot occur after the six consciousnesses but should appear before them). Just as volitional formations are known, knowing how volitional formations arise, one knows that with the arising of ignorance comes the arising of volitional formations. Just as the arising of volitional formations is known, knowing what the cessation of volitional formations is, one knows that with the cessation of ignorance comes the cessation of volitional formations. Just as the cessation of volitional formations is known, knowing what the way leading to the cessation of volitional formations is, one knows that the Noble Eightfold Path is the way leading to the cessation of volitional formations. Thus the way leading to the cessation of volitional formations is known.