The Elements

1. I heard thus. At one time the Blessed One was living in the monastery offered by Anāthapiṇḍika in Jeta's grove in Sāvatthi.

2. Then venerable Rāhula approached the Blessed One worshipped and sat on a side.

3. Sitting on a side venerable Rāhula said to the Blessed One: “Venerable sir, Blessed One, may I be taught so that I would withdraw and seclude and abide diligent and zealous to dispel.”

4-9. “Rāhula, is the earth element ... re ... the water element ... re ... fire element ... re ... air element ... re ... space element ... re ... consciousness element ... permanent or impermanent?”

“It is impermanent, venerable sir.”

“That which is impermanent is it unpleasant or pleasant?”

“It's unpleasant, venerable sir.”

“That which is impermanent, unpleasant, a changing thing is it suitable to be considered `that is mine, I am that, it's my self?'”

“That is not so, venerable sir

10. “Rāhula, the noble disciple seeing it thus turns away from the earth element ... re ... the water element ... re ... fire element ... re ... air element ... re ... space element ... re ... consciousness element

11. “Turning away detaches himself, is dispassionate and is released. Released, knowledge arises, “Birth is destroyed, the holy life is lived, duties are done, there's nothing more to wish'.”