Seeing this, a learned noble disciple grows disillusioned with form, feeling, perception, choices, and consciousness. Being disillusioned, desire fades away. When desire fades away they’re freed. When they’re freed, they know they’re freed. They understand: ‘… there is nothing further for this place.’”

That is what the Buddha said. Then the Holy One, the Teacher, went on to say:

“Form is like a lump of foam; feeling is like a bubble; perception seems like a mirage; choices like a banana plant; and consciousness like an illusion: so taught the Kinsman of the Sun.

However you contemplate them, examining them rationally, they’re vacuous and hollow when you look at them closely.

Concerning this body, he of vast wisdom has taught that when three things are given up, you’ll see this form discarded.

When vitality, warmth, and consciousness leave this body, it lies dumped there, food for others, insentient.

Such is this continuity, this illusion, this lament of fools. It’s said to be a killer, for no core is found here.

An energetic mendicant should examine the aggregates like this, with situational awareness and mindfulness whether by day or by night.

They should give up all fetters, and make a refuge for themselves. They should live as though their head was on fire, aspiring to the state that does not pass.”

Linked Discourses 22.96 10. Flowers A Lump of Cow Dung