“‘Sensuality should be known. The cause
of sensuality… The diversity in sensuality… The result of sensuality…
The cessation of sensuality… The path of practice for the cessation of
sensuality should be known.’ Thus it has been said. In reference to what
was it said?
“There are these five strings of
sensuality. Which five? Forms cognizable via the eye—agreeable,
pleasing, charming, endearing, fostering desire, enticing; sounds
cognizable via the ear… aromas cognizable via the nose… flavors
cognizable via the tongue… tactile sensations cognizable via the
body—agreeable, pleasing, charming, endearing, fostering desire,
enticing. But these are not sensuality. They are called strings of
sensuality in the discipline of the noble ones.
The passion for his resolves is a man's sensuality,
not the beautiful sensual pleasures found in the world.
The passion for his resolves is a man's sensuality.
The beauties remain as they are in the world,
while the wise, in this regard,
subdue their desire.
“And what is the cause of sensuality? Contact is the cause of sensuality.
“And what is the diversity in sensuality?
Sensuality with regard to forms is one thing, sensuality with regard to
sounds is another, sensuality with regard to aromas is another,
sensuality with regard to flavors is another, sensuality with regard to
tactile sensations is another. This is called the diversity in
sensuality.
“And what is the result of sensuality? One
who wants sensuality produces a corresponding state of existence, on
the side of merit or demerit. This is called the result of sensuality.
“And what is the cessation of sensuality?
From the cessation of contact is the cessation of sensuality; and just
this noble eightfold path—right view, right resolve, right speech, right
action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, right
samādhi—is the way leading to the cessation of sensuality.
“Now when a disciple of the noble ones
discerns sensuality in this way, the cause of sensuality in this way,
the diversity of sensuality in this way, the result of sensuality in
this way, the cessation of sensuality in this way, and the path of
practice leading to the cessation of sensuality in this way, then he
discerns this penetrative holy life as the cessation of sensuality.
“‘Sensuality should be known. The cause
of sensuality… The diversity in sensuality… The result of sensuality…
The cessation of sensuality… The path of practice for the cessation of
sensuality should be known.’ Thus it has been said, and in reference to
this was it said.
AN VI 63
