7.
The Second Discourse on Existence
78.
Then the Venerable Ānanda approached the Blessed One, etc.
The Venerable Ānanda said this to the Blessed One -
"'Existence, existence', venerable sir, is said.
In what way, venerable sir, is there existence?"
"If, Ānanda, there were no action ripening in the sensual element, would sensual existence be discerned?" "No indeed, venerable sir." "Thus indeed, Ānanda, action is the field, consciousness is the seed, craving is the moisture. For beings hindered by ignorance, fettered by craving, volition is established in the inferior element, longing is established; thus the production of rebirth occurs in the future."
"If, Ānanda, there were no action ripening in the fine-material element, would fine-material existence be discerned?" "No, Venerable Sir." "Thus indeed, Ānanda, action is the field, consciousness is the seed, craving is the moisture. For beings hindered by ignorance, fettered by craving, volition is established in the middle element, longing is established; thus the production of rebirth occurs in the future."
"If, Ānanda, there were no action ripening in the immaterial element, would immaterial existence be discerned?" "No, Venerable Sir." "Thus indeed, Ānanda, action is the field, consciousness is the seed, craving is the moisture. For beings hindered by ignorance, fettered by craving, volition is established in the superior element, longing is established; thus the production of rebirth occurs in the future. Thus indeed, Ānanda, there is existence." The seventh.