The Buddha was residing in Savatthi. At that time, the Venerable Kaccayana came to where the World-Honored One was. After arriving, he paid his respects to the World-Honored One and sat to one side. Seated to one side, the Venerable Kaccayana said to the World-Honored One:

"Lord, people speak of 'right view, right view.' To what extent, Lord, is there right view?"

The World-Honored One replied: "Kaccayana, this world mostly relies on a duality - of existence and non-existence. Kaccayana, for one who sees the arising of the world as it really is with right wisdom, 'non-existence' with respect to the world does not exist. Kaccayana, for one who sees the passing away of the world as it really is with right wisdom, 'existence' with respect to the world does not exist.

Kaccayana, this world is for the most part bound by attachment, clinging, and biases. But one who does not approach, cling, mentally hold to, or become attached to these tendencies of attachment and clinging, who does not take a stand about 'my self,' understands: 'Suffering alone arises, suffering alone ceases.' His knowledge about this is independent of others. Kaccayana, this is what constitutes right view.

Kaccayana, 'All exists' is one extreme. 'All does not exist' is the other extreme. Avoiding these two extremes, the Tathagata teaches the Dhamma by the middle way: 'With ignorance as condition, volitional formations come to be; with volitional formations as condition, consciousness comes to be... Such is the origin of this whole mass of suffering. But with the remainderless fading away and cessation of ignorance comes cessation of volitional formations; with the cessation of volitional formations comes cessation of consciousness... Such is the cessation of this whole mass of suffering.'"

This is the fifth sutta.

This passage is a profound exposition by the Buddha on the nature of right view, touching on core concepts in Buddhist philosophy. Let's analyze it step by step:

1. Setting the scene:

   The text begins by describing Buddha in Savatthi, with Kaccayana coming to ask questions. This dialogue format is common in Buddhist scriptures, reflecting Buddha's teaching method of answering disciples' questions.

2. Definition of Right View:

   Kaccayana asks about right view, the first and most fundamental part of the Noble Eightfold Path. Right view is not just correct opinion, but a true understanding of reality.

3. Transcending Duality:

   Buddha points out that people often fall into the duality of "existence" and "non-existence." This way of thinking is our common pattern for understanding the world, but it's also the source of attachment and suffering.

4. Importance of Seeing Things as They Really Are:

   Buddha emphasizes that when we observe the arising and passing away of the world with right wisdom, we can transcend the duality of "existence" and "non-existence." This observation is not superficial, but a deep insight into reality.

5. Root of Attachment:

   The text points out that the world is entangled in craving, clinging, biases, and bonds. These are the fundamental causes of suffering and the obstacles we need to overcome through practice.

6. Wisdom of Non-self:

   Buddha teaches not to cling to the notion of "this is my self." This is the core of Buddhist non-self theory, pointing out that the concept of "I" is a form of misguided attachment.

7. Nature of Suffering:

   A key aspect of right view is understanding that "only suffering arises, only suffering ceases." This is not pessimism, but a profound insight into the nature of life.

8. Middle Way Thinking:

   Buddha avoids the two extremes of "all exists" and "all does not exist," advocating for the middle way. This is the essence of Buddhist thought, emphasizing balance and avoiding extremes.

9. Law of Dependent Origination:

   Finally, Buddha briefly explains the twelve links of dependent origination, showing the process of the arising and cessation of suffering, emphasizing that ignorance is the root of all suffering.

This passage invites us to deeply reflect on how we view the world. We often fall into dualistic thinking patterns, simply dividing things into good and bad, right and wrong, existence and non-existence. However, this way of thinking may limit our understanding of reality.

Buddha's teaching encourages us to transcend this dualistic thinking and understand the nature of the world through direct observation. This is not just a philosophical view, but a life practice. When we can detach from fixed concepts and biases, and not be bound by the concept of "I," we can see things as they really are more clearly.

Right view is not simply an accumulation of knowledge, but a profound insight. It requires us to constantly reflect, observe, and dare to challenge our own fixed notions. By cultivating this insight, we can gradually reduce attachment, increase wisdom, and ultimately achieve true inner peace.

This passage also reminds us that the path to liberation is not in some distant shore, but in how we view and understand each moment of the present. By cultivating right view, we can gradually achieve inner transformation in our daily lives, which is the true purpose of Buddha's teachings.