At Sāvatthī.

“Mendicants, when what exists, because of grasping what and insisting on what, does someone regard things like this: ‘This is mine, I am this, this is my self’?”

“Our teachings are rooted in the Buddha. …”

“When form exists, because of grasping form and insisting on form … When consciousness exists, because of grasping consciousness and insisting on consciousness, someone regards it like this: ‘This is mine, I am this, this is my self.’

What do you think, mendicants? Is form permanent or impermanent?”

“Impermanent, sir.” …

“But by not grasping what’s impermanent, suffering, and perishable, would you regard it like this: ‘This is mine, I am this, this is my self’?”

“No, sir.”

“Is feeling … perception … choices … consciousness permanent or impermanent?”

“Impermanent, sir.” …

“But by not grasping what’s impermanent, suffering, and perishable, would you regard it like this: ‘This is mine, I am this, this is my self’?”

“No, sir.”

“Seeing this … They understand: ‘… there is no return to any state of existence.’”