sn.12.47 Saṁyutta Nikāya (Linked Discourses)

Jaṇussoṇi

At Savatthī. Then the brahmin Jaṇussoṇi approached the Blessed One and exchanged greetings with him. When they had concluded their greetings and cordial talk, he sat down to one side and said to him:

“How is it, Master Gotama: does all exist?”

“‘All exists’: this, brahmin, is one extreme.”

“Then, Master Gotama, does all not exist?”

“‘All does not exist’: this, brahmin, is the second extreme. Without veering towards either of these extremes, the Tathagata teaches the Dhamma by the middle….”

When this was said, the brahmin Jaṇussoṇi said to the Blessed One: “Magnificent, Master Gotama!… From today let Master Gotama remember me as a lay follower who has gone for refuge for life.”

- Translator: Bhikkhu Bodhi

- Editor: Blake Walsh

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Jāṇussoṇi

At Sāvatthī.
Then the brahmin Jāṇussoṇi went up to the Buddha, and exchanged greetings with him. Seated to one side he said to the Buddha:
“Master Gotama, does all exist?”
“‘All exists’: this is one extreme, brahmin.”
“Then does all not exist?”
“‘All does not exist’: this is the second extreme.
Avoiding these two extremes, the Realized One teaches by the middle way:
‘Ignorance is a condition for choices.
Choices are a condition for consciousness. …
That is how this entire mass of suffering originates.
When ignorance fades away and ceases with nothing left over, choices cease.
When choices cease, consciousness ceases. …
That is how this entire mass of suffering ceases.’”
When he said this, the brahmin Jāṇussoṇi said to the Buddha,
“Excellent, Master Gotama! Excellent! …
From this day forth, may Master Gotama remember me as a lay follower who has gone for refuge for life.”