Saṃyukta Āgama, Volume 1

The Bhagavān addressed the bhikṣus: You should contemplate the impermanence of the aggregate of form. Those who can truly perceive the impermanence of the aggregate of form are engaging in correct contemplation. If one can correctly contemplate the impermanence of the aggregate of form, then one becomes weary of the aggregate of form. When one becomes weary of the aggregate of form, delight and craving for the aggregate of form are severed. One whose delight and craving for the aggregate of form are completely exhausted is said to be one whose mind is liberated.

In the same way, contemplate the impermanence of the aggregates of feeling, perception, volitional formations, and consciousness. Those who can truly perceive the impermanence of these four aggregates—feeling, perception, volitional formations, and consciousness—are engaging in correct contemplation. Those who engage in correct contemplation become weary of the four aggregates of feeling, perception, volitional formations, and consciousness. When weariness arises, delight and craving for these four aggregates are completely exhausted. One whose delight and craving for the aggregates of feeling, perception, volitional formations, and consciousness are completely exhausted is said to be one whose mind is liberated.

Thus, O bhikṣus, one whose mind is liberated, if wishing to bear witness to one’s own liberation and to enter final nirvana without residue, can bear witness without relying on others. He will declare: ‘My births have been exhausted, the holy life has been established, what had to be done has been done, I know for myself that there will be no further existence. I myself know that I will not again take birth in the realm of desire, the realm of form, or the formless realm. I will not be reborn in the three realms. At the end of this life, I will enter final nirvana without residue.’

The Bhagavān further addressed the bhikṣus: You should contemplate the suffering, emptiness, and non-self nature of the five aggregates. Such contemplation is correct contemplation. Those who can engage in correct contemplation become weary of the five aggregates. When weariness arises toward the five aggregates, delight and craving for the five aggregates are severed. One whose delight and craving for the five aggregates are completely exhausted, I declare to be one whose mind is liberated. One whose mind is liberated, if wishing to bear witness to one’s own liberation, can bear witness. He declares: ‘My births have been exhausted, the holy life has been established, what had to be done has been done, I know for myself that there will be no further existence.’ Hearing this teaching from the Buddha, the bhikṣus rejoiced and undertook it with faith.