Discontentedness is Dependently Arisen

Good, good, Ānanda! Anyone answering rightly would answer just as Sāriputta has done.

I have said, Ānanda, that discontentedness is dependently arisen.

Dependent on what?

Dependent on contact. If one were to speak thus one would be stating what has been said by me and would not misrepresent me with what is contrary to the truth; one would explain in accordance with The Teachings, and no reasonable consequence of one’s assertion would give ground for criticism.

Therein, Ānanda, in the case of those Ascetics and Brāhmins, advocates of Kamma, who maintain that discontentedness is created by oneself, that is conditioned by contact.

Also, in the case of those Ascetics and Brāhmins, advocates of Kamma, who maintain that discontentedness is created by another, that too is conditioned by contact.

Also, in the case of those Ascetics and Brāhmins, advocates of Kamma, who maintain that discontentedness is created both by oneself and by another, that too is conditioned by contact.

Also, in the case of those Ascetics and Brāhmins, advocates of Kamma, who maintain that discontentedness has arisen randomly, being created neither by oneself nor by another, that too is conditioned by contact.

(Reference: SN 12:25)

In this Teaching from Gotama Buddha, he shares that discontentedness is conditioned, or comes to be, due to contact.

When there is contact through The Six Sense Bases, it is possible for one to experience discontentedness. All discontentedness will be experienced through The Six Sense Bases or the doorways to discontentedness.

Contact requires an internal sense base (eye, ear, nose, tongue, body, mind) to experience an external sense base (form, sound, odor, flavor, physical object, mental object), and to have awareness. These are the three (3) things required to have contact.

To create either wholesome or unwholesome Kamma, there needs to be contact.

Once contact is established, the unEnlightened mind will either experience pleasant feelings, painful feelings, or feelings that are neither painful-nor-pleasant.

• A pleasant feeling (happiness, excitement, elation, thrill, exhilaration, euphoria, etc.)

• A painful feeling (sadness, anger, frustration, irritation, annoyance, guilt, shame, fear, stress, anxiety, etc.)

• A feeling that is neither painful-nor-pleasant (boredom, loneliness, shyness, displeased, uncomfortable, unsatisfied, etc.)

Once contact is established, the Enlightened mind will not experience pleasant feelings, painful feelings, or feelings that are neither painful-nor-pleasant. The Enlightened mind will not base its inner feelings on impermanent conditions created through contact with The Six Sense Bases.

The Enlightened mind will be peaceful, calm, serene, and content with joy - permanently.