Tripiṭaka Vicāravagga
Examination Chapter
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“Bhante nāgasena, kiṁlakkhaṇā saññā”ti?
“Venerable Nāgasena, what is the distinguishing characteristic of perception?”
“Sañjānanalakkhaṇā, mahārāja, saññā.
“Perceiving, your majesty, is the distinguishing characteristic of perception.
Nīlampi sañjānāti, pītampi sañjānāti, lohitampi sañjānāti, odātampi sañjānāti, mañjiṭṭhampi sañjānāti.
One perceives blue, yellow, red, white, and crimson.
Evaṁ kho, mahārāja, sañjānanalakkhaṇā saññā”ti.
Thus, your majesty, perceiving is the distinguishing characteristic of perception.”
“Yathā, mahārāja, rañño bhaṇḍāgāriko bhaṇḍāgāraṁ pavisitvā nīlapītalohitodātamañjiṭṭhāni rājabhogāni rūpāni passitvā sañjānāti.
“Just as, your majesty, a king’s storekeeper, having entered the warehouse and seen the forms of the king’s goods there, perceives blue, yellow, red, white, and crimson.
Evaṁ kho, mahārāja, sañjānanalakkhaṇā saññā”ti.
Thus, your majesty, perceiving is the distinguishing characteristic of perception.”