18.
The Discourse on Neither Exists Nor Does Not Exist
241.
At Sāvatthī.
"When what exists, monks, clinging to what, having clung to what, does such a view arise:
'The Truth-finder neither exists nor does not exist after death'?"
"The teachings have the Blessed One as their root, venerable sir, etc.
"When matter exists, monks, clinging to matter, having clung to matter, such a view arises:
'The Truth-finder neither exists nor does not exist after death.'
When feeling exists...
when perception exists...
when activities exist...
when consciousness exists, clinging to consciousness, having clung to consciousness, such a view arises:
'The Truth-finder neither exists nor does not exist after death.'"
"What do you think, monks, is materiality permanent or impermanent?" "Impermanent, venerable sir." Etc. subject to change, would such a view arise by non-clinging to that: 'The Truth-finder neither exists nor does not exist after death'?" "No, Venerable Sir." "Thus indeed, monks, when suffering exists, clinging to suffering, having clung to suffering, such a view arises: 'The Truth-finder neither exists nor does not exist after death.'" "Feeling... perception... activities... consciousness permanent or impermanent?" "Impermanent, venerable sir." Etc. subject to change, would such a view arise by non-clinging to that: 'The Truth-finder neither exists nor does not exist after death'?" "No, Venerable Sir." "Thus indeed, monks, when suffering exists, clinging to suffering, having clung to suffering, such a view arises: 'The Truth-finder neither exists nor does not exist after death.'" The eighteenth.