III. The Book of the Threes

V. The Minor Section

[135]

Thus have I heard:

On a certain occasion the Exalted One was staying near Sāvatthī.

Then he addressed the monks, saying:

"Monks."

"Yes, Lord," replied those monks to the Exalted One.

The Exalted One said this:

"Monks, there are these three condition-marks
of that which is conditioned.¹

What three?

Its genesis is apparent,
its passing away is apparent,
its changeability while it persists² is apparent.

These are the three condition-marks
of that which is conditioned.

■

Monks, there are these three non-condition-marks
of that which is unconditioned.

What three?

Its genesis is not apparent,
its passing away is not apparent,
its changeability while it persists is not apparent.

These are the three non-condition-marks
of that which is unconditioned."

¹ Sankhatassa, cf. Buddh. Psych. 222; Buddhism, 82; Pts. of Contr. 55; Expos. ii, 465. Comy. paraphrases: paccayehi samagantvā katassu.

² Ṭhitassa aññathattaṃ ('becoming-otherness') = jarā. Comy.