SN22.102 — Saṁyutta Nikāya 22.102 Pupphavagga Aniccasaññā Sutta Sāvatthinidānaṁ.
Disciples, the perception of impermanence, when developed and cultivated abundantly, completely overcomes all sensual desire, completely overcomes all desire for form, completely overcomes all desire for existence, completely overcomes all ignorance, and completely eradicates the notion of I or mine.
Just as, disciples, during the harvest season, a farmer, with a large sickle, cuts down all the roots of the plants; in the same way, disciples, the perception of impermanence, when developed and cultivated abundantly, completely overcomes all sensual desire, completely overcomes all desire for form, completely overcomes all desire for existence, completely overcomes all ignorance, and completely eradicates the notion of I or mine.
Just as, disciples, a fisherman, having caught a fish, holds it by the head and shakes it, so too, disciples, the perception of impermanence, when developed and cultivated abundantly, completely overcomes all sensual desire... and completely eradicates the notion of I or mine.
Just as, disciples, when mangoes are cut from the stalk, all the mangoes that are attached to that stalk become detached; in the same way, disciples, the perception of impermanence, when developed... completely eradicates the notion of I or mine.
Just as, disciples, all the guards of a fortress are called the fortress guards, and the fortress is known by them; in the same way, disciples, the perception of impermanence, when developed... completely eradicates the notion of I or mine.
Just as, disciples, all the roots of fragrant plants are known by their scent; in the same way, disciples, the perception of impermanence... completely eradicates the notion of I or mine.
Just as, disciples, all the roots of red sandalwood are known by their scent; in the same way, disciples, the perception of impermanence... completely eradicates the notion of I or mine.
Just as, disciples, all the roots of flowering plants are known by their scent; in the same way, disciples, the perception of impermanence... completely eradicates the notion of I or mine.
Just as, disciples, all the kings of the earth are followers of the universal monarch, and the king is known by them; in the same way, disciples, the perception of impermanence... completely eradicates the notion of I or mine.
Just as, disciples, all the rays of the stars are not equal to the light of the moon, and the moon's light is known by them; in the same way, disciples, the perception of impermanence... completely eradicates the notion of I or mine.
Just as at the time of autumn, when the sun rises, having dispelled the darkness, it shines, radiates, and illuminates all that is in the sky and all that is in the darkness; in the same way the perception of impermanence, when developed and made abundant, dispels all sensual desire, dispels all desire for form, dispels all desire for existence, dispels all ignorance, and uproots all sense of self.
How is the perception of impermanence developed and made abundant so that it dispels all sensual desire... and uproots all sense of self? This is form, this is the origin of form, this is the cessation of form; this is feeling... this is perception... this is formations... this is consciousness; this is the origin of consciousness, this is the cessation of consciousness: thus, when developed the perception of impermanence dispels all sensual desire, dispels all desire for form, dispels all desire for existence, dispels all ignorance, and uproots all sense of self.