The Buddha teaches the Dhamma for the giving up of everything based on the six sense bases and the process leading up to the arising of feeling and perception.

Pahāna sutta - Giving Up

“Bhikkhus, I will teach you the |Dhamma::teachings of the Buddha that point to the nature of reality, the ultimate truth [dhamma]| for |giving up::letting go, abandoning, removal [pahāna]| of everything. Listen to this.

And what, bhikkhus, is the Dhamma for the giving up of everything?

The eye should be given up, |forms::visible objects such as beautiful sights, faces, expressions, art, ornaments, possessions, status symbols, admired appearances, enticing scenery, or objects of desire and attachment [rūpe]| should be given up, |eye-consciousness::awareness of visible forms; it does not interpret or recognize meaning—only cognizes and distinguishes [cakkhuviññāṇa]| should be given up, |eye-contact::the meeting of eye, form, and eye-consciousness, giving rise to a visual impression/impingement/intrusion [cakkhusamphassa]| should be given up, and whatever |feeling::pleasant, neutral or painful sensation, the felt experience, second of the five aggregates [vedanā]| arises with eye-contact as condition—whether pleasant, painful, or neither-painful-nor-pleasant—that too should be given up.

The ear should be given up, |sounds::auditory objects such as various sounds, noises, melodic compositions, verbal expression, whether of praise, blame, honor, respect, disrespect [saddā]| should be given up, |ear-consciousness::auditory awareness; it does not interpret or recognize meaning—only cognizes and distinguishes [sotaviññāṇa]| should be given up, |ear-contact::the meeting of ear, sound, and ear-consciousness, giving rise to an auditory impression/impingement/intrusion [sotasamphassa]| should be given up, and whatever feeling arises with ear-contact as condition—whether pleasant, painful, or neither-painful-nor-pleasant—that too should be given up.

The nose should be given up, |odors::smells, scents, fragrances, aromas, stench, perfumes, or natural fragrances such as of flowers, food, or earth [gandhā]| should be given up, |nose-consciousness::olfactory awareness; it does not interpret or recognize meaning—only cognizes and distinguishes [ghānaviññāṇa]| should be given up, |nose-contact::the meeting of nose, odor, and nose-consciousness, giving rise to an olfactory impression/impingement/intrusion [ghānasamphassa]| should be given up, and whatever feeling arises with nose-contact as condition—whether pleasant, painful, or neither-painful-nor-pleasant—that too should be given up.

The tongue should be given up, |tastes::flavors, tastes, sweetness, bitterness, sourness, saltiness, spiciness, richness, or subtle tastes such as umami or astringency [rasā]| should be given up, |tongue-consciousness::gustatory awareness; it does not interpret or recognize meaning—only cognizes and distinguishes [jivhāviññāṇa]| should be given up, |tongue-contact::the meeting of tongue, taste, and tongue-consciousness, giving rise to a taste impression/impingement/intrusion [jivhāsamphassa]| should be given up, and whatever feeling arises with tongue-contact as condition—whether pleasant, painful, or neither-painful-nor-pleasant—that too should be given up.

The body should be given up,|tangibles::tangible objects such as physical surfaces, textures, fabrics, water, air, heat, cold, bodily pressure, or contact with living beings [phoṭṭhabbā]| should be given up, |body-consciousness::tactile awareness; it does not interpret or recognize meaning—only cognizes and distinguishes [kāyaviññāṇa]| should be given up, |body-contact::the meeting of body, touch, and body-consciousness, giving rise to a tactile impression/impingement/intrusion [kāyasamphassa]| should be given up, and whatever feeling arises with body-contact as condition—whether pleasant, painful, or neither-painful-nor-pleasant—that too should be given up.

The mind should be given up, |mental objects::thoughts, ideas, memories, emotions, intentions, perceptions, concepts, beliefs, mental images, or fabrications arising from past experiences and future projections [dhammā]| should be given up, |mind-consciousness::mental awareness; it does not interpret or recognize meaning—only cognizes and distinguishes [manoviññāṇa]| should be given up, |mind-contact::the meeting of mind, mental object, and mind-consciousness, giving rise to a mental impression/impingement/intrusion [manosamphassa]| should be given up, and whatever feeling arises with mind-contact as condition—whether pleasant, painful, or neither-painful-nor-pleasant—that too should be given up.

This, bhikkhus, is the Dhamma for the giving up of everything.”

Last updated on March 27, 2025

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