5.
The Discourse on Kaccānagotta
15.
He was dwelling at Sāvatthī.
Then the Venerable Kaccānagotta approached the Blessed One;
having approached, he paid respect to the Blessed One and sat down to one side.
Seated to one side, the Venerable Kaccānagotta said this to the Blessed One -
"'Right view, right view', venerable sir, is said.
In what way, venerable sir, is there right view?"
"This world, Kaccāna, for the most part depends upon a duality - upon existence and non-existence. But for one who sees the origin of the world as it really is with right wisdom, there is no notion of non-existence regarding the world. And for one who sees the cessation of the world as it really is with right wisdom, there is no notion of existence regarding the world. This world, Kaccāna, for the most part is shackled by involvement, clinging, and adherence. But this one does not approach, does not cling to, does not determine that involvement and clinging, that mental standpoint, adherence, and underlying tendency - 'myself'. 'It is only suffering that arises when arising, it is suffering that ceases when ceasing' - he is not uncertain, he does not doubt sceptically; his knowledge here is not dependent on others. To this extent, Kaccāna, there is right view.
"'All exists' - this, Kaccāna, is one extreme. 'All does not exist' - this is the second extreme. Not approaching these two extremes, Kaccāna, the Truth-finder expounds the Teaching by the middle - 'With ignorance as condition, activities; with activities as condition, consciousness; etc. Thus is the origin of this whole mass of suffering. But from the complete fading away and cessation of ignorance comes the cessation of activities; from the cessation of activities comes the cessation of consciousness; etc. Thus is the cessation of this whole mass of suffering.'" The fifth.