Whoever delights in the four great elements, delights in what is subject to suffering, and as a result, is not freed from suffering.

Abhinanda sutta - Delight

At Sāvatthi.

“Bhikkhus, whoever delights in the |earth element::whatever internal or external that is solid, hard, resistant, appears stable and supporting, which can be considered as belonging to oneself, and can be clung to [pathavīdhātu]|, delights in [what is subject to] |suffering::discomfort, unpleasantness, discontentment, dissatisfaction, stress, pain, disease, i.e. mild or intense suffering [dukkha]|. Whoever delights in what is subject to suffering, I say, is not freed from suffering.

Whoever delights in the |water element::whatever internal or external, that is liquid, cohesive, flowing, binding, moist, which can be considered as belonging to oneself, and can be clung to [āpodhātu]|, delights in what is subject to suffering. Whoever delights in what is subject to suffering, I say, is not freed from suffering.

Whoever delights in the |fire element::whatever internal or external that is hot, fiery, transformative, warming, cooling, which can be considered as belonging to oneself and can be clung to [tejodhātu]|, delights in what is subject to suffering. Whoever delights in what is subject to suffering, I say, is not freed from suffering.

Whoever delights in the |air element::whatever internal or external that is airy, gaseous, moving, vibrating, wind-like, which can be considered as belonging to oneself and can be clung to [vāyodhātu]|, delights in what is subject to suffering. Whoever delights in what is subject to suffering, I say, is not freed from suffering.

But, bhikkhus, whoever does not delight in the earth element, does not delight in [what is subject to] suffering. Whoever does not delight in what is subject to suffering, I say, is freed from suffering.

Whoever does not delight in the water element, does not delight in what is subject to suffering. Whoever does not delight in what is subject to suffering, I say, is freed from suffering.

Whoever does not delight in the fire element, does not delight in what is subject to suffering. Whoever does not delight in what is subject to suffering, I say, is freed from suffering.

Whoever does not delight in the air element, does not delight in what is subject to suffering. Whoever does not delight in what is subject to suffering, I say, is freed from suffering.”

Last updated on March 27, 2025

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