CATUTTHAVAGGA

Collections of Linked Discourses

Collections of 'linked' or 'connected' discourses and other related texts.

Catudhātusutta

SN 14.30

Four Elements

The four material elements of earth, water, heat, and air. Note that “air” is close in meaning to “wind”.

Translations

Bhikkhu Sujato (2018)

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Pubbesambodhasutta

SN 14.31

Before Awakening

Before his awakening the Buddha saw the gratification, the drawback, and the escape in the four material elements.

Translations

Bhikkhu Sujato (2018)

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Acariṁsutta

SN 14.32

In Search of Gratification

The Buddha set out to discover the gratification, the drawback, and the escape in the four material elements, and found it.

Translations

Bhikkhu Sujato (2018)

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Nocedaṁsutta

SN 14.33

If There Was No

Each of the three aspects of the four material elements performs its own function. Gratification stimulates desire; drawbacks lead to disillusionment, while escape opens the possibility of freedom.

Translations

Bhikkhu Sujato (2018)

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Ekantadukkhasutta

SN 14.34

Exclusively Painful

If the material elements were solely painful, beings would not get attached. If they were solely pleasurable, it would be impossible to become detached.

Translations

Bhikkhu Sujato (2018)

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Abhinandasutta

SN 14.35

Taking Pleasure

When you seek pleasure in the material elements, you seek pleasure in suffering.

Translations

Bhikkhu Sujato (2018)

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Uppādasutta

SN 14.36

Arising

The arising of the material elements is the arising of suffering.

Translations

Bhikkhu Sujato (2018)

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Samaṇabrāhmaṇasutta

SN 14.37

Ascetics and Brahmins

One who does not understand the four material elements is no true ascetic.

Translations

Bhikkhu Sujato (2018)

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Dutiyasamaṇabrāhmaṇasutta

SN 14.38

Ascetics and Brahmins (2nd)

One who does not understand the four material elements is no true ascetic.

Translations

Bhikkhu Sujato (2018)

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Tatiyasamaṇabrāhmaṇasutta

SN 14.39

Ascetics and Brahmins (3rd)

One who does not understand the four material elements is no true ascetic.

Translations

Bhikkhu Sujato (2018)

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