With Sāriputta and Koṭṭhita (3rd)

Linked Discourses 44.5

1. The Undeclared Points

With Sāriputta and Koṭṭhita (3rd)

At one time Venerable Sāriputta and Venerable Mahākoṭṭhita were staying near Varanasi in the deer park at Isipatana. …

(The same down as far as:)

“What’s the cause, reverend, what’s the reason why this has not been declared by the Buddha?”

“Reverend, if you’re not rid of greed, desire, fondness, thirst, passion, and craving for form …

feeling …

perception …

choices …

consciousness, you think ‘a realized one still exists after death’ …

‘a realized one neither still exists nor no longer exists after death.’

If you are rid of greed for form …

feeling …

perception …

choices …

consciousness, you don’t think ‘a realized one still exists after death’ …

‘a realized one neither still exists nor no longer exists after death.’

This is the cause, this is the reason why this has not been declared by the Buddha.”