z:\ ambedkar\vol 011\vol11 05.indd MK SJ+YS 5 10 2013/YS 18 11 2013 321
RELIGION AND DHAMMA
321
- Then, in the same terms, Potthapada asked each of the following questions :
(i) ‘Is the world not eternal ?’
(ii) ‘Is the world finite ?’
(iii) ‘Is the world infinite ?’
(iv) ‘Is the soul the same as the body ?’
(v) ‘Is the soul one thing, and the body another ?’
(vi) ‘Does one who has gained the truth live again after death ?’
(vii) ‘Does he not live again after death ?’
(viii) ‘Does he both live again and not live again, after death ?’
(ix) ‘Does he neither live again, nor not live again, after death?’
And to each questions the Exalted One made the same reply :—
“That too, Potthapada, is a matter on which I have expressed no opinion.”
“But why has the Exalted One expressed no opinion on that ?”
“Because this question is not calculated to profit, it is not concerned with the Dhamma, it does not redound even to the elements of right conduct, nor to detachment, nor to purification from lusts, nor to quietude, nor to tranquillisation of heart, nor to real knowledge, nor to the insight (of the higher stages of the Path), nor to Nirvana. Therefore is it that I express no opinion upon it.”
“Then what is it that the Exalted One has determined ?”
“I have expounded, Potthapada, what Dukkha is ; I have expounded what is the origin of Dukkha; I have expounded what is the cessation of Dukkha : I have expounded what is the method by which one may reach the cessation of Dukkha.”
“And why has the Exalted One put forth a statement as to that ?”
“Because that question, Potthapada, is calculated to profit, is concerned with the Dhamma, redounds to the beginnings of right conduct, to detachment, to purification from lusts, to quietude, to tran IV