4.
The Second Discourse on Sāriputta and Koṭṭhika
413.
On one occasion the Venerable Sāriputta and the Venerable Mahākoṭṭhika were dwelling at Bārāṇasī in the Deer Park at Isipatana, etc.
"What now, friend, is the cause, what is the condition, why this has been left undeclared by the Blessed One?"
"For one who does not know, who does not see matter as it really is, who does not know, who does not see the origin of matter as it really is, who does not know, who does not see the cessation of matter as it really is, who does not know, who does not see the practice leading to the cessation of matter as it really is, 'the Truth-finder exists after death' occurs to him;
'the Truth-finder does not exist after death' occurs to him;
'the Truth-finder both exists and does not exist after death' occurs to him;
'the Truth-finder neither exists nor does not exist after death' occurs to him.
Feeling... etc.
Perception... etc.
Activities... etc.
For one who does not know, who does not see consciousness as it really is, who does not know, who does not see the origin of consciousness as it really is, who does not know, who does not see the cessation of consciousness as it really is, who does not know, who does not see the practice leading to the cessation of consciousness as it really is, 'the Truth-finder exists after death' occurs to him;
'the Truth-finder does not exist after death' occurs to him;
'the Truth-finder both exists and does not exist after death' occurs to him;
'the Truth-finder neither exists nor does not exist after death' occurs to him.
"But, friend, for one who knows, who sees matter as it really is, who knows, who sees the origin of matter as it really is, who knows, who sees the cessation of matter as it really is, who knows, who sees the practice leading to the cessation of matter as it really is, 'the Truth-finder exists after death' does not occur to him, etc. 'the Truth-finder neither exists nor does not exist after death' does not occur to him. Feeling... etc. Perception... etc. Activities... etc. For one who knows, who sees consciousness as it really is, who knows, who sees the origin of consciousness as it really is, who knows, who sees the cessation of consciousness as it really is, who knows, who sees the practice leading to the cessation of consciousness as it really is, 'the Truth-finder exists after death' does not occur to him; 'the Truth-finder does not exist after death' does not occur to him; 'the Truth-finder both exists and does not exist after death' does not occur to him; 'the Truth-finder neither exists nor does not exist after death' does not occur to him. This, friend, is the cause, this is the condition, why this has been left undeclared by the Blessed One." The fourth.