Abandoning Ignorance

Translated from the Pali by John D. Ireland

Once a certain Bhikkhu approached the Lord. Having drawn near and prostrated himself he sat down to one side. Sitting there that Bhikkhu said to the Lord:

“How knowing, Sir, how seeing is ignorance (avijja) abandoned and understanding (vijja) produced?”

“By knowing and seeing the impermanence of the eye, Bhikkhus, ignorance is abandoned and understanding is produced. By knowing and seeing the impermanence of visible objects … visual-consciousness … visual-contact … And whatever arises conditioned by visual-contact, felt as pleasant or painful or neutral—by knowing and seeing the impermanence of that also, ignorance is abandoned and understanding is produced.

“By knowing and seeing the impermanence of the ear … nose … tongue … body … mind … mind-objects … mind-consciousness … mind-contact … And whatever arises conditioned by mind-contact, felt as pleasant or painful or neutral—by knowing and seeing the impermanence of that also, ignorance is abandoned and understanding is produced.

“It is by thus knowing and thus seeing, Bhikkhu, that ignorance is abandoned and understanding is produced.”