SN22.123 — The Discourse on the Learned
At one time, the venerable Sāriputta and the venerable Mahākoṭṭhita were staying near Benares in the Deer Park at Isipatana.
Then, in the evening, the venerable Mahākoṭṭhita emerged from seclusion, approached the venerable Sāriputta, and said, Friend Sāriputta, what things should a learned disciple attend to wisely?
Friend Koṭṭhita, a learned disciple should attend wisely to the five aggregates subject to clinging as impermanent, as suffering, as a disease, as a tumor, as a dart, as a calamity, as an affliction, as alien, as disintegrating, as empty, as not-self.
What five?
The form aggregate subject to clinging, the feeling aggregate subject to clinging, the perception aggregate subject to clinging, the formations aggregate subject to clinging, the consciousness aggregate subject to clinging.
Friend Koṭṭhita, a learned disciple should attend wisely to these five aggregates subject to clinging as impermanent, as suffering, as not-self.
There is a possibility, friend, that a learned disciple who attends wisely to these five aggregates subject to clinging as impermanent, as suffering, as not-self, may realize the fruit of stream-entry.
Friend Sāriputta, what things should a stream-enterer disciple attend to wisely?
Friend Koṭṭhita, a stream-enterer disciple should attend wisely to these five aggregates subject to clinging as impermanent, as suffering, as not-self.
There is a possibility, friend, that a stream-enterer disciple who attends wisely to these five aggregates subject to clinging as impermanent, as suffering, as not-self, may realize the fruit of once-returning, the fruit of non-returning, the fruit of arahantship.
Friend Sāriputta, what things should an arahant attend to wisely?
Friend Koṭṭhita, an arahant should attend wisely to these five aggregates subject to clinging as impermanent, as suffering, as a disease, as a tumor, as a dart, as a calamity, as an affliction, as alien, as disintegrating, as empty, as not-self.
There is nothing further for an arahant to do, or to accumulate from what has been done; but these things, when developed and cultivated, lead to a pleasant abiding in this very life and to mindfulness and clear knowing.