Saɱyutta Nikāya
4. Saḷāyatana Vagga
44. Avyākata Saɱyutta
Sutta 5
Tatiya Sāriputta-Koṭṭhika (or Pema) Suttaɱ
Sāriputta-Koṭṭhika (3)
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 is not devoid of lust for form, who is not devoid of desire, affection, thirst, passion, and craving for form, 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 is not devoid of lust for feeling ...
who is not devoid of lust for perception ...
who is not devoid of lust for volitional formations ...
who is not devoid of lust for consciousness, who is not devoid of desire, affection, thirst, passion, and craving for consciousness, that thinks:
'The Tathāgata exists after death' ...
or
'The Tathāgata neither exists nor does not exist after death.'
■
"But, friend, one who is devoid of lust for form ...
who is devoid of lust for feeling ...
who is devoid of lust for perception ...
who is devoid of lust for volitional formations ...
who is devoid of lust for consciousness, who is devoid of desire, affection, thirst, passion, and craving for consciousness, 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."
