Linked Discourses 22.27

1. The Burden

Gratification (2nd)

At Sāvatthī.

“Mendicants, I went in search of form’s gratification,

and I found it.

I’ve seen clearly with wisdom the full extent of form’s gratification.

I went in search of form’s drawback,

and I found it.

I’ve seen clearly with wisdom the full extent of form’s drawback.

I went in search of form’s escape,

and I found it.

I’ve seen clearly with wisdom the full extent of form’s escape.

I went in search of the gratification of feeling …

perception …

choices …

and consciousness,

and I found it.

I’ve seen clearly with wisdom the full extent of consciousness’s gratification.

I went in search of consciousness’s drawback,

and I found it.

I’ve seen clearly with wisdom the full extent of consciousness’s drawback.

I went in search of consciousness’s escape,

and I found it.

I’ve seen clearly with wisdom the full extent of consciousness’s escape.

As long as I didn’t truly understand these five grasping aggregates’ gratification, drawback, and escape for what they are, I didn’t announce my supreme perfect awakening …

But when I did truly understand these five grasping aggregates’ gratification, drawback, and escape for what they are, I announced my supreme perfect awakening …

Knowledge and vision arose in me:

‘My freedom is unshakable; this is my last rebirth; now there’ll be no more future lives.’”