AN 3.47 - Saṅkhata Lakkhaṇa Sutta & Asaṅkhata Lakkhaṇa Sutta (The
Translated by Bhikkhu Candana
Source: https://www.mindreleased.com/s/Book-3_Anguttara-Nikya-A-New-Translation.pdf#page=82
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Candana source labels: 47. Site text ID: AN 3.47.

47. Saṅkhata Lakkhaṇa Sutta & Asaṅkhata Lakkhaṇa Sutta (The Marks of the Prepared & The Marks of the Non-prepared) Bhikkhus, these three are the marks of the “prepared.”

Now, what are these three?

a. The fact that there is a saṅkhārā (a “loading up” or “winding-up,” a prepared or “primed” state) that has arisen in the mind, which is clearly evident to the observer.

b. The decay and disappearance of that prepared or primed state in the mind becomes clear and evident.

c. And, the unfolding or transformation that takes place whenever the internally prepared and primed state of the mind is followed through and acted upon, also becomes clearly evident.

Bhikkhus, these three are the marks of the prepared.

Furthermore, Bhikkhus, there are these three marks of the non-prepared.

And what are these three?

a. The fact that there is nothing being “prepared” or primed in the mind is itself clear and evident.

b. It is clear and evident that no decaying or disappearance takes place of any state that may have been prepared or primed within the mind.

c. And, it is clear and evident that there is no unfolding or transformation taking place of any internally prepared or primed state, where no primed, “loaded” or “wound up” prepared state is somehow unfolding, whether by being followed through or acted upon, as before.

Bhikkhus, these are therefore the three marks of the non-prepared.
