"In the same way, a meditator sees, observes, and closely examines any FEELING of the past, future, or present, internal or or external, gross or subtle, mundane or sublime, far or near. To one seeing, observing, and closely examining it, it would appear empty, void, without substance. For what substance would there be in feeling?
"Now suppose that in the last month of the hot season (the summer) a mirage were shimmering, and a person with good eyesight were to see, observe, and closely examine it. To one seeing, observing, and closely examining it, it would appear empty, void, without substance. For what substance would there be in a mirage?
"In the same way, a meditator sees, observes, and closely examines any PERCEPTION of the past, future, or present, internal or external, gross or subtle, mundane or sublime, far or near. To one seeing, observing, and closely examining it, it would appear empty, void, without substance. For what substance would there be in perception?
"Now suppose that a person desiring heartwood, on a quest for heartwood, seeking heartwood, were to go into a forest carrying a sharp ax. There one might see a large banana tree -- straight, young, of enormous height. One would cut it at the root and chop off the top. Having done so one would peel away the outer skin. And doing so one would not find even sapwood, to say nothing of heartwood.
"Then a person with good eyesight would see, observe, and closely examine it. To one seeing, observing, and closely examining it, it would appear empty, void, without substance. For what substance would there be in a banana tree?
"In the same way a meditator sees, observes, and closely examines any FORMATIONS of the past, future, or present, internal or external, gross or subtle, mundane or sublime, far or near. To one seeing, observing, and closely examining it, it would appear empty, void, without substance. For what substance would there be in formations?
"Now suppose a magician or magician's apprentice were to display a magic trick at an intersection, and a person with good eyesight were to see, observe, and closely examine it. To one seeing, observing, and closely examining it, it would appear empty, void, without substance. For what substance would there be in a magic trick?
"In the same way a meditator sees, observes, and closely examines any
CONSCIOUSNESS of the past, future, or present, internal or external, gross or subtle, mundane or sublime, far or near. To one seeing, observing, and closely examining it, it would appear empty, void, without substance. For what substance would there be in consciousness?
"Seeing things thus, the well-instructed disciple of the noble ones grows disenchanted with form, disenchanted with feeling, disenchanted with perception, disenchanted with formations, disenchanted with consciousness.
"And disenchanted, one grows dispassionate. Through dispassion, one is released. With release there arises the knowledge, 'Released.' One discerns that 'Birth is ended, the supreme life fulfilled, the task done. There is nothing further for this world.'"
This is what the Blessed One said, and having said it, the Wayfarer (Well-Gone One), the Teacher, further uttered these verses:
Form is like a glob of foam;
feeling, a bubble;
perception, a mirage;
formations are like a banana tree;
consciousness, a magic trick --
This was taught by the Kinsman of the Sun.
However one observes them,
Closely examines them,
They are empty,
Void to whoever sees them (penetrates them with insight).
"Beginning with the body as taught by the Wise One:
When abandoned by three things --
Life, warmth, and consciousness --
Form is rejected, cast aside.
When bereft of these it lies thrown away,
Senseless, food for others.
That is how it goes:
It's a magic trick, an idiot's babbling.
It's said to be a murderer (See
Yamaka Sutra, SN22).
No substance here is found.
So a meditator, persistence aroused, should view
The aggregates by day and night, mindful, alert;
One discards all fetters, all bonds;
One makes oneself one's own guide;
One lives as if one's head (hat, headdress, turban) were on fire --
In hopes of that state where there is no falling away.
