SN 14 · 39 texts · 39 in English
Linked Discourses on the Elements
Dhātusaṁyutta
The “Linked Discourses on the Elements” contains 39 discourses on various factors classified as “elements” (dhātu). In Buddhism, the term “element” is applied to a range of phenomena, most commonly the main material properties of earth, water, fire and air. Here, however, these four elements play only a small role, and much of the text is devoted to analysis of the perceptual process, and to various character traits. The relation or dependence of elements on each other is a major theme, and this chapter can be seen as an appendix to the chapter on causality.
The Chapter on Diversity
Nānattavagga-
SN 14.1
Diversity of ElementsDhātunānattasutta
The senses function due to the various different elements of sense experience, namely, the internal sense organ, the external sense stimulus, and consciousness.
-
SN 14.2
Diversity of ContactsPhassanānattasutta
The diverse internal elements of sense experience give rise to diverse contacts.
-
SN 14.3
Not Diversity of ContactsNophassanānattasutta
It is not the case that diverse contacts give rise to the diverse elements of sense experience.
-
SN 14.4
Diversity of FeelingsVedanānānattasutta
Diverse contacts give rise to diverse feelings.
-
SN 14.5
Diversity of Feelings (2nd)Dutiyavedanānānattasutta
It is not the case that diverse feelings give rise to diverse contacts.
-
SN 14.6
External Diversity of ElementsBāhiradhātunānattasutta
The senses function due to the various different external elements of sense experience, namely, the various sense stimuli.
-
SN 14.7
Diversity of PerceptionsSaññānānattasutta
The diverse external elements of sense experience give rise to diverse perceptions, intentions, desires, passions, and quests.
-
SN 14.8
No Diversity of SearchesNopariyesanānānattasutta
It is not the case that diverse perceptions, intentions, desires, passions, and quests give rise to diverse external elements of sense experience.
-
SN 14.9
Diversity of GainsBāhiraphassanānattasutta
The diverse external elements of sense experience give rise to diverse perceptions, intentions, desires, passions, quests, and material possessions.
-
SN 14.10
No Diversity of GainsDutiyabāhiraphassanānattasutta
It is not the case that diverse perceptions, intentions, desires, passions, quests, and material possessions give rise to diverse external elements of sense experience.
Chapter Two
Dutiyavagga-
SN 14.11
Seven ElementsSattadhātusutta
A rare group of seven elements: light, beauty, the four formless states, and the attainment of cessation. Each of these is known due to the negation of something: light vs. darkness, beauty vs. ugliness, and so on.
-
SN 14.12
With a CauseSanidānasutta
Thoughts of sensuality, ill-will, and cruelty arise due to a series of causes.
-
SN 14.13
In the Brick HallGiñjakāvasathasutta
When unenlightened people have the view that certain people are Buddhas, this is due to ignorance.
-
SN 14.14
Inferior ConvictionsHīnādhimuttikasutta
People of poor character associate together, while people of good character associate together.
-
SN 14.15
Walking TogetherCaṅkamasutta
The Buddha points out that each of the great disciples has a retinue of students of a similar character. And the monks in Devadatta’s retinue all have evil wishes.
-
SN 14.16
With VersesSagāthāsutta
People of poor character associate together, while people of good character associate together. Illustrated with similes and verses.
-
SN 14.17
FaithlessAssaddhasaṁsandanasutta
The faithless and those of other bad qualities associate together, while those of good qualities associate together.
-
SN 14.18
Beginning With the FaithlessAssaddhamūlakasutta
Those of bad qualities associate together, while those of good qualities associate together.
-
SN 14.19
Beginning With the ShamelessAhirikamūlakasutta
Those of bad qualities associate together, while those of good qualities associate together.
-
SN 14.20
Beginning With ImprudenceAnottappamūlakasutta
Those of bad qualities associate together, while those of good qualities associate together.
-
SN 14.21
Beginning With the UnlearnedAppassutamūlakasutta
Those of bad qualities associate together, while those of good qualities associate together.
-
SN 14.22
Beginning With the LazyKusītamūlakasutta
Those of bad qualities associate together, while those of good qualities associate together.
The Chapter on Ways of Performing Deeds
Kammapathavagga-
SN 14.23
Lacking ImmersionAsamāhitasutta
Those of bad qualities associate together, while those of good qualities associate together.
-
SN 14.24
UnethicalDussīlasutta
Those of bad qualities associate together, while those of good qualities associate together.
-
SN 14.25
The Five PreceptsPañcasikkhāpadasutta
Those of bad qualities associate together, while those of good qualities associate together.
-
SN 14.26
Seven Ways of Performing DeedsSattakammapathasutta
Those of bad qualities associate together, while those of good qualities associate together.
-
SN 14.27
Ten Ways of Performing DeedsDasakammapathasutta
Those of bad qualities associate together, while those of good qualities associate together.
-
SN 14.28
The Eightfold PathAṭṭhaṅgikasutta
Those of bad qualities associate together, while those of good qualities associate together.
-
SN 14.29
Ten Factored PathDasaṅgasutta
Those of bad qualities associate together, while those of good qualities associate together.
Chapter Four
Catutthavagga-
SN 14.30
Four ElementsCatudhātusutta
The four material elements of earth, water, heat, and air. Note that “air” is close in meaning to “wind”.
-
SN 14.31
Before AwakeningPubbesambodhasutta
Before his awakening the Buddha saw the gratification, the drawback, and the escape in the four material elements.
-
SN 14.32
In Search of GratificationAcariṁsutta
The Buddha set out to discover the gratification, the drawback, and the escape in the four material elements, and found it.
-
SN 14.33
If There Were NoNocedaṁsutta
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.
-
SN 14.34
Absolutely PainfulEkantadukkhasutta
If the material elements were solely painful, beings would not get attached. If they were solely pleasurable, it would be impossible to become detached.
-
SN 14.35
Taking PleasureAbhinandasutta
When you seek pleasure in the material elements, you seek pleasure in suffering.
-
SN 14.36
ArisingUppādasutta
The arising of the material elements is the arising of suffering.
-
SN 14.37
Ascetics and BrahminsSamaṇabrāhmaṇasutta
One who does not understand the four material elements is no true ascetic.
-
SN 14.38
Ascetics and Brahmins (2nd)Dutiyasamaṇabrāhmaṇasutta
One who does not understand the four material elements is no true ascetic.
-
SN 14.39
Ascetics and Brahmins (3rd)Tatiyasamaṇabrāhmaṇasutta
One who does not understand the four material elements is no true ascetic.