8.
The Discourse on the Self-Doer
38.
Then a certain brahmin approached the Blessed One;
having approached, he exchanged friendly greetings with the Blessed One.
Having concluded the pleasant and memorable talk, he sat down to one side.
Seated to one side, that brahmin said this to the Blessed One -
"Indeed, Master Gotama, I hold such a doctrine and view:
'There is no action by oneself, there is no action by others.'"
"I, brahmin, have never seen or heard of one who holds such a doctrine and view.
How indeed could one who himself goes forward, who himself goes back, say thus -
'There is no action by oneself, there is no action by others'!
"What do you think, brahmin, is there an element of instigation?" "Yes, sir." "When there is an element of instigation, are beings who instigate discerned?" "Yes, sir." "That, brahmin, when there is an element of instigation, beings who instigate are discerned - this is the action by oneself of beings, this is the action by others.
"What do you think, brahmin, is there an element of persistence? Etc. Is there an element of exertion? Is there an element of strength? Is there an element of steadfastness? Is there an element of endeavour?" "Yes, sir." "When there is an element of endeavour, are beings who endeavour discerned?" "Yes, sir." "That, brahmin, when there is an element of endeavour, beings who endeavour are discerned - this is the action by oneself of beings, this is the action by others.
"I, brahmin, have never seen or heard of one who holds such a doctrine and view. How indeed could one who himself goes forward, who himself goes back, say thus - 'There is no action by oneself, there is no action by others.'"
"Excellent, Master Gotama! Etc. From this day forth, I have gone for refuge for life." The eighth.