sn.44.4 Saṁyutta Nikāya (Linked Discourses)

Sāriputta and Koṭṭhita (2)

As above down to:

“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 Tathagata exists after death,’ or ‘The Tathagata does not exist after death,’ or ‘The Tathagata both exists and does not exist after death,’ or ‘The Tathagata 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 Tathagata exists after death’ … … or ‘The Tathagata 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 Tathagata exists after death’ … or ‘The Tathagata 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.”

- Translator: Bhikkhu Bodhi

- Editor: Blake Walsh

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With Sāriputta and Koṭṭhita (2nd)

At one time Venerable Sāriputta and Venerable Mahākoṭṭhita were staying near Benares, in the deer park at Isipatana. …
(The same down as far as:)
“What’s the cause, reverend, what’s the reason why this has not been declared by the Buddha?”
“Reverend, not truly knowing and seeing form, its origin, its cessation, and the practice that leads to its cessation, one thinks ‘a Realized One exists after death’ or
‘a Realized One doesn’t exist after death’ or
‘a Realized One both exists and doesn’t exist after death’ or
‘a Realized One neither exists nor doesn’t exist after death.’
Not truly knowing or seeing feeling …
perception …
choices …
consciousness, its origin, its cessation, and the practice that leads to its cessation, one thinks ‘a Realized One exists after death’ or
‘a Realized One doesn’t exist after death’ or
‘a Realized One both exists and doesn’t exist after death’ or
‘A Realized One neither exists nor doesn’t exist after death.’
Truly knowing and seeing form …

feeling …
perception …
choices …
consciousness, its origin, its cessation, and the practice that leads to its cessation, one doesn’t think ‘a Realized One exists after death’ or
‘a Realized One doesn’t exist after death’ or
‘a Realized One both exists and doesn’t exist after death’ or
‘a Realized One neither exists nor doesn’t exist after death.’
This is the cause, this is the reason why this has not been declared by the Buddha.”