z:\ ambedkar\vol 011\vol11 05.indd MK SJ+YS 5 10 2013/YS 18 11 2013 320
320 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES
- “Or have you ever said to me: ‘I will become the Exalted One’s pupil, for he will reveal to me the beginning of things ?’
IV
“ ‘Sir, I have not.’
“ ‘But if I have not said the one and you have not said the other, what are you and what am I, foolish man, that you talk of giving up on that account ? What think you, Sunakkhatta? Whether the beginning of things be revealed, or whether it be not, is the object for which I teach the Dhamma that it leads to the thorough destruction of ill for the doer thereof ?’
“ ‘Whether, sir, they are revealed or not, that is indeed the object for which the Dhamma is taught by the Exalted One.’
“ ‘If then, Sunakkhatta, it matters not to that object whether the beginning of things be revealed, or whether it be not, of what use to you would it be to have the beginning of things revealed ?’ ”
This illustrates that Religion is concerned with revealing the beginning of things and Dhamma is not.
(2)
The other differences between Religion and Dhamma are brought out in the discussion between the Blessed One and Potthapada.
The Blessed One was once staying at Shravasti in Anathapindika’s pleasance of the Jeta’s wood. Now at that time Potthapada, the wandering mendicant was dwelling in the hall put up in Queen Mallika’s park for a debate on general systems of philosophical opinion.
There was with him a great following of mendicants; to wit, three hundred. A dialogue took place between the Blessed Lord and Potthapada. Potthapada asked :
“Then, sir, if that be so, tell me at least : ‘Is the world eternal ? Is this alone the truth, and any other view mere folly ?’ ”
“That, Potthapada, is a matter on which I have expressed no opinion,” replied the Blessed Lord.