Saṃyukta Āgama, Volume 1

The Buddha addressed the bhikkhus, saying: "You should contemplate the impermanence of the form aggregate. One who is able to perceive the impermanence of the form aggregate as it truly is, is engaging in correct contemplation. If one can correctly contemplate the impermanence of the form aggregate, one will give rise to disenchantment toward the form aggregate. Giving rise to disenchantment toward the form aggregate, one will eradicate craving and attachment to it. One who has completely eradicated craving and attachment to the form aggregate is one whose mind is liberated.

"Similarly, contemplate the impermanence of the feeling aggregate, the perception aggregate, the volitional formations aggregate, and the consciousness aggregate. One who is able to perceive the impermanence of these four aggregates—feeling, perception, volitional formations, and consciousness—as it truly is, is engaging in correct contemplation. One who engages in correct contemplation will give rise to disenchantment toward these four aggregates. Giving rise to disenchantment, one will completely eradicate craving and attachment to them. One who has completely eradicated craving and attachment to the feeling, perception, volitional formations, and consciousness aggregates is one whose mind is liberated.

"Thus, O bhikkhus, one whose mind is liberated, if wishing to attest to his own liberation and to enter complete nirvana without residue, is able to attest to it himself; he does not require another to attest for him. He will declare: 'My endless cycle of birth and death is ended in this very life. There will be no further existence. My holy life is established. My mind is purified and free from defilements. The task for the sake of liberation is accomplished. I know for myself that there will be no more existence in the realm of desire, the realm of form, or the formless realm. I will not be reborn again in the three realms. At the end of this life, I will enter complete nirvana without residue.'"

The Buddha further addressed the bhikkhus, saying: "You should contemplate the suffering, emptiness, and non-self nature of the five aggregates. One who contemplates thus is engaging in correct contemplation. One who is able to engage in correct contemplation will give rise to disenchantment toward the five aggregates. Giving rise to disenchantment toward the five aggregates, one will eradicate craving and attachment to them. One who has completely eradicated craving and attachment to the five aggregates, I declare, is one whose mind is liberated. One whose mind is liberated, if wishing to attest to his own liberation, is able to attest to it himself. He will declare: 'Birth is destroyed, the holy life has been lived, what had to be done has been done, there is no more coming to any state of being.'"

Then the bhikkhus, having heard the Buddha's teaching, rejoiced and undertook it respectfully.