Saṃyukta Āgama (292), Part Six

(6) Original text: 复次。比丘思量观察正尽苦。究竟苦边时。思量名色。何因何集。何生何触。知彼名色。识因识集。识生识触。彼识欲灭无余。则名色灭。彼所乘识灭道迹。如实知。修习彼向次法。是名比丘向正尽苦。究竟苦边。所谓识灭。

Explanation: Furthermore, when a bhikṣu deliberates and contemplates the correct exhaustion of suffering, wishing to reach the ultimate end of suffering, he must deliberate on name-and-form: due to what cause does it arise, by the accumulation of what dharma does it arise, with the arising of what dharma does name-and-form arise, and with the contact of what dharma does name-and-form arise? After contemplation and deliberation, he comes to know that the arising of name-and-form arises through the condition of the six consciousnesses, arises through the accumulation of the six consciousnesses, and that when the six consciousnesses arise, they lead to the arising of name-and-form in future lives, and that the contact of the six consciousnesses leads to the arising of name-and-form in future lives. If the six consciousnesses cease completely without remainder, name-and-form will accordingly cease completely. Bhikṣus should understand as it really is the path of practice leading to the cessation of the six consciousnesses, that is, to cultivate the dharma directed toward the path and the secondary assisting dharmas. This is called a bhikṣu heading toward the correct exhaustion of suffering and reaching the ultimate end of suffering—namely, the dharma of the complete cessation of the six consciousnesses.