Self-identification
Sakkāya Sutta (SN 38:15)
On one occasion Ven. Sāriputta was staying in Magadha near Nāla Village. Then Jambukhādaka the wanderer went to Ven. Sāriputta and, on arrival, exchanged courteous greetings with him. After an exchange of friendly greetings & courtesies, he sat to one side. As he was sitting there he said to Ven. Sāriputta: “‘Self-identification, self-identification,’ it is said, my friend Sāriputta. Which self-identification (are they referring to)?”
“These five clinging-aggregates—form as a clinging-aggregate, feeling as a clinging-aggregate, perception as a clinging-aggregate, fabrications as a clinging-aggregate, & consciousness as a clinging-aggregate—are called ‘self-identification’ by the Blessed One.”
“But is there a path, is there a practice for the full comprehension of this self-identification?”
“Yes, there is a path, there is a practice for the full comprehension of this self-identification.”
“Then what is the path, what is the practice for the full comprehension of this self-identification?”
“Precisely this noble eightfold path, my friend: right view, right resolve, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, right concentration. This is the path, this is the practice for the full comprehension of this self-identification.”
“It’s an auspicious path, my friend, an auspicious practice for the full comprehension of this self-identification—enough for the sake of heedfulness.”
