Milindapañha
Translators: kelly
Milinda's Questions
Vicāravagga
Examination Chapter
10. Saññālakkhaṇapañha
Distinguishing Characteristic of Perception Question
“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.
Kiṁ sañjānāti?
What does one perceive?
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.”
“Opammaṁ karohī”ti.
“Please give me an analogy.”
“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.”
“Kallosi, bhante nāgasenā”ti.
“You are clever, venerable Nāgasena.”
Saññālakkhaṇapañho dasamo.
Distinguishing Characteristic of Perception Question tenth