Saɱyutta Nikāya
4. Saḷāyatana Vagga
44. Avyākata Saɱyutta
Sutta 4
Dutiya Sāriputta-Koṭṭhika (or Samudaya) Suttaɱ
Sāriputta-Koṭṭhika (2)
Translated by Bhikkhu Bodhi
Copyright Bhikkhu Bodhi 2000, The Connected Discourses of the Buddha (Wisdom Publications, 2000)
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[1][pts][than] On one occasion the Venerable Sāriputta and the Venerable Maha Koṭṭhika were dwelling at Bārāṇasī in the Deer Park at Isipatana.
Then, in the evening, the Venerable Maha Koṭṭhika emerged from seclusion and approached the Venerable Sāriputta.
He exchanged greetings with the Venerable Sāriputta and, when they had concluded their greetings and cordial talk, he sat down to one side and said to him:
"How is it, friend Sāriputta, does the Tathāgata exist after death?"
"Friend, the Blessed One has not declared this:
'The Tathāgata exists after death.'"
"How is it, friend Sāriputta, does the Tathāgata not exist after death?"
"Friend, the Blessed One has not declared this:
'The Tathāgata does not exist after death.'"
"How is it, friend Sāriputta, does the Tathāgata both exists and does not exist after death?"
"Friend, the Blessed One has not declared this:
'The Tathāgata both exists and does not exist after death.'"
"How is it, friend Sāriputta, does the Tathāgata neither exists nor does not exist after death?"
"Friend, the Blessed One has not declared this either:
'The Tathāgata neither exists nor does not exist after death.'"
"How is this, friend?
When asked:
"How is it, friend Sāriputta, does the Tathāgata exist after death?"
you say:
"Friend, the Blessed One has not declared this:
'The Tathāgata exists after death.'"
When asked:
"How is it, friend Sāriputta, does the Tathāgata not exist after death?"
you say:
"Friend, the Blessed One has not declared this:
'The Tathāgata does not exist after death.'"
When asked:
"How is it, friend Sāriputta, does the Tathāgata both exists and does not exist after death?"
you say:
"Friend, the Blessed One has not declared this:
'The Tathāgata both exists and does not exist after death.'"
When asked:
"How is it, friend Sāriputta, does the Tathāgata neither exists nor does not exist after death?"
you say:
"Friend, the Blessed One has not declared this either:
'The Tathāgata neither exists nor does not exist after death.'"
What now, friend, is the cause and reason why this has not been declared by the Blessed One?"
"Friend, it is one who does not know and see form as it really is, who does not know and see its origin, its cessation, and the way leading to its cessation, that thinks:
'The Tathāgata exists after death,'
or
'The Tathāgata does not exist after death,'
or
'The Tathāgata both exists and does not exist after death,'
or
'The Tathāgata neither exists nor does not exist after death.'
It is one who does not know and see feeling as it really is ...
who does not know and see perception as it really is ...
who does not know and see volitional formations as they really are ...
who does not know and see consciousness as it really is, who does not know and see its origin, its cessation, and the way leading to its cessation, that thinks:
'The Tathāgata exists after death' ...
or
'The Tathāgata neither exists nor does not exist after death.'
"But, friend, one who knows and sees form ...
feeling ...
perception ...
volitional formations ...
consciousness as it really is, who knows and sees its origin, its cessation, and the way leading to its cessation, does not think:
'The Tathāgata exists after death' ...
or
'The Tathāgata neither exists nor does not exist after death.'
"This, friend, is the cause and reason why this has not been declared by the Blessed One."
