The body is fragile, consciousness is of a fading nature. All substrates of existence are impermanent, dissatisfactory, and subject to change.

ITI 77  Bhidura sutta - Fragile

Vuttañhetaṁ bhagavatā vuttamarahatāti me sutaṁ:

This was said by the Blessed One, said by the Arahant, so I have heard:

“Bhidurāyaṁ, bhikkhave, kāyo, viññāṇaṁ virāgadhammaṁ, sabbe upadhī aniccā dukkhā vipariṇāmadhammā”ti.

“Bhikkhus, this body is fragile; |consciousness::quality of awareness — distinctive knowing that arises in dependence on the meeting of eye and form, ear and sound, nose and odor, tongue and taste, body and tangible object, mind and mind object [viññāṇa]| is of a fading nature. All substrates of |existence::attachments, assets [upadhi]| are |impermanent::not lasting, transient, unreliable [anicca]|, |dissatisfactory::uncomfortable, unpleasant [dukkha]|, and |subject to change::of the nature of alteration, decay [vipariṇāmadhamma]|.”

Etamatthaṁ bhagavā avoca. Tatthetaṁ iti vuccati:

The Blessed One spoke on this matter. In this regard, it is said:

“Kāyañca bhiduraṁ ñatvā,
Viññāṇañca virāgunaṁ;
Upadhīsu bhayaṁ disvā,
Jātimaraṇamaccagā;
Sampatvā paramaṁ santiṁ,
Kālaṁ kaṅkhati bhāvitatto”ti.

“Having known the body as |fragile::breakable, perishable [bhidura]|,
and consciousness as of a fading nature;
Having seen the danger in substrates [of existence],
one overcomes birth and death;
Having attained the supreme peace,
the Awakened One calmly awaits his time [until final passing].”

Ayampi attho vutto bhagavatā, iti me sutanti.

This matter too was spoken by the Blessed One, as I have heard.

Qualities:

Recognition of impermanence

Recognition of impermanence

Perceiving all conditioned things as unstable and transient. This recognition weakens attachment by revealing the continual arising and ceasing of phenomena, turning the mind toward wisdom and release.

Also known as: perception of impermanence, perception of instability, realization of transience
Pāli: aniccasaññā
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Attachment

Attachment

A mental fastening onto people, things, views, or states as “me” or “mine,” unwilling to release them. This clinging can give a sense of security and sweetness.

Also known as: acquisition, bond, clinging, grasping, holding on, possession, entanglement, bound, connected, taking as mine
Pāli: upadhi, upādāna, sakiñcana, mamatta
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Suffering

Suffering

Unpleasantness, discontentment, dissatisfaction, stress, pain, disease, i.e. mild or intense suffering that is inherent in conditioned existence.

Also known as: discomfort, unpleasantness, discontentedness, dissatisfaction, stress, pain, disease, distress, affliction
Pāli: dukkha
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Last updated on December 13, 2025