Kāmaguṇa Sutta

“Bhikkhus,

There are these five qualities of sensory attraction [1].

What five?

(1) Forms perceived by the eye

Which are desired and loved,

Seductive and attractive,

Mingled with desire and exciting;[2]

(2) Sounds perceived by the ear

Which are desired and loved,

Seductive and attractive,

Mingled with desire and exciting

(3) Odors perceived by the nose

Which are desired and loved,

Seductive and attractive,

Mingled with desire and exciting

(4) Flavors perceived by the tongue

Which are desired and loved,

Seductive and attractive,

Mingled with desire and exciting

(5) Tangibles perceived by the body

Which are desired and loved,

Seductive and attractive,

Mingled with desire and exciting

These are the five qualities.

Monks,

It is for direct understanding,

For complete understanding,

For complete overcoming

And for letting go[3] of the five qualities of lust

that this Ariyan Eight-spoked path is developed.

[1] Kāmaguṇa. Fabrics, strands.

[2] iṭṭhā kantā manāpā piyarūpā kāmūpasaṃhitā rajanīyā

[3] abhiññāya pariññāya parikkhayāya pahānāya