Atthi Raga Suthra: Samyutta Nikaya
The Buddha preached that knowing the four nutriments with wisdom (with insight) is the right view. “Monks, there are these four nutriments for the maintenance of beings who have come into being or for the support of those beings who are searching to be born. Which four? Bodily or physical food; contact as the second, mental volition or intention the third, and consciousness the fourth. These are the four nutriments for the maintenance of beings who have come into being or for the support of those beings who are searching to be born.” This teaching focuses on the cause and effect phenomena, reaching beyond the mundane self-view. The Suthra discusses about the origin of the beings and their existence in samsara (the repetitive cycle of birth & death) and not about the origin of the physical body or its maintenance. It describes the four nutriments and the way they come to be and contribute to the continuity of existence. It also explains the way the self-view is abandoned ...