SN35.17 — First Discourse on Enjoyment

Disciples, if there were no enjoyment in the eye, beings would not be attached to the eye. But because there is enjoyment in the eye, beings are attached to the eye.

If there were no danger in the eye, beings would not become disenchanted with the eye. But because there is danger in the eye, beings become disenchanted with the eye.

If there were no escape from the eye, beings would not seek escape from the eye. But because there is escape from the eye, beings seek escape from the eye.

If there were no enjoyment in the ear... if there were no enjoyment in the nose... if there were no enjoyment in the tongue, beings would not be attached to the tongue. But because there is enjoyment in the tongue, beings are attached to the tongue.

If there were no danger in the tongue, beings would not become disenchanted with the tongue. But because there is danger in the tongue, beings become disenchanted with the tongue.

If there were no escape from the tongue, beings would not seek escape from the tongue. But because there is escape from the tongue, beings seek escape from the tongue.

If there were no enjoyment in the body... if there were no enjoyment in the mind, beings would not be attached to the mind. But because there is enjoyment in the mind, beings are attached to the mind.

If there were no danger in the mind, beings would not become disenchanted with the mind. But because there is danger in the mind, beings become disenchanted with the mind.

If there were no escape from the mind, beings would not seek escape from the mind. But because there is escape from the mind, beings seek escape from the mind.

As long as beings do not understand, as they really are, the enjoyment as enjoyment, the danger as danger, and the escape as escape in these six internal sense bases, they will not be free from the world with its devas, Māras, and Brahmās, from this generation with its recluses and brahmins, its devas and humans.

But when beings understand, as they really are, the enjoyment as enjoyment, the danger as danger, and the escape as escape in these six internal sense bases, then they will be free from the world with its devas, Māras, and Brahmās, from this generation with its recluses and brahmins, its devas and humans, and they will dwell with a mind that is free, detached, released, and unrestricted.