{"collection":"Samyutta Nikaya","full_text_available":true,"graph_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/v2/api/page/suttacentral_sn12.24/graph","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/v2/page/suttacentral_sn12.24","id":"suttacentral_sn12.24","license":"CC0","rights_basis":"suttacentral_bilara_data_cc0","source":"suttacentral","source_url":"https://suttacentral.net/sn12.24/en/sujato","summary":null,"tags":["Early Buddhist Texts","Samyutta Nikaya"],"text":"Near R\u0101jagaha, in the Bamboo Grove. Then Venerable S\u0101riputta robed up in the morning and, taking his bowl and robe, entered R\u0101jagaha for alms. Then it occurred to him, \u201cIt\u2019s too early to wander for alms in R\u0101jagaha. Why don\u2019t I visit the monastery for the wanderers of other religions?\u201d Then he went to the monastery for the wanderers of other religions and exchanged greetings with the wanderers there. When the greetings and polite conversation were over, he sat down to one side. The wanderers said to him: \u201cReverend S\u0101riputta, there are ascetics and brahmins who teach the efficacy of deeds. Some of them assert that suffering is made by oneself. Some of them assert that suffering is made by another. Some of them assert that suffering is made by both oneself and another. Some of them assert that suffering arises anomalously, not made by oneself or another. What does the ascetic Gotama say about this? How does he explain it? How should we answer so as to repeat what the ascetic Gotama has said, and not misrepresent him with an untruth? How should we explain in line with his teaching, with no legitimate grounds for rebuttal and criticism?\u201d \u201cReverends, the Buddha has said that suffering is dependently originated. Dependent on what? Dependent on contact. In speaking like this, you would repeat what the Buddha has said, and not misrepresent him with an untruth. You would explain in line with his teaching, and there would be no legitimate grounds for rebuttal and criticism. Consider the ascetics and brahmins who teach the efficacy of deeds. In the case of those who assert that suffering is made by oneself, that\u2019s dependent on contact. In the case of those who assert that suffering is made by another, that\u2019s also dependent on contact. In the case of those who assert that suffering is made by oneself and another, that\u2019s also dependent on contact. In the case of those who assert that suffering arises anomalously, not made by oneself or another, that\u2019s also dependent on contact. Consider the ascetics and brahmins who teach the efficacy of deeds. In the case of those who assert that suffering is made by oneself, it\u2019s impossible that they will experience that without contact. In the case of those who declare that suffering is made by another, it\u2019s impossible that they will experience that without contact. In the case of those who assert that suffering is made by oneself and another, it\u2019s impossible that they will experience that without contact. In the case of those who assert that suffering arises anomalously, not made by oneself or another, it\u2019s impossible that they will experience that without contact.\u201d Venerable \u0100nanda heard this discussion between Venerable S\u0101riputta and those wanderers of other religions. Then \u0100nanda wandered for alms in R\u0101jagaha. After the meal, on his return from almsround, he went to the Buddha, bowed, sat down to one side, and informed the Buddha of all they had discussed. \u201cGood, good, \u0100nanda! It\u2019s just as S\u0101riputta has so rightly explained. I have said that suffering is dependently originated. Dependent on what? Dependent on contact. Saying this you would repeat what I have said, and not misrepresent me with an untruth. You would explain in line with my teaching, and there would be no legitimate grounds for rebuttal and criticism. Consider the ascetics and brahmins who teach the efficacy of deeds. In the case of those who assert that suffering is made by oneself, that\u2019s dependent on contact. \u2026 In the case of those who assert that suffering arises anomalously, not made by oneself or another, that\u2019s also dependent on contact. In the case of those who assert that suffering is made by oneself, it\u2019s impossible that they will experience that without contact. \u2026 In the case of those who assert that suffering arises anomalously, not made by oneself or another, it\u2019s impossible that they will experience that without contact. \u0100nanda, this one time I was staying near R\u0101jagaha in the Bamboo Grove, the squirrels\u2019 feeding ground. Then I robed up in the morning and, taking my bowl and robe, entered R\u0101jagaha for alms. Then I thought: \u2018It\u2019s too early to wander for alms in R\u0101jagaha. Why don\u2019t I visit the monastery for the wanderers of other religions?\u2019 Then I went to the monastery for the wanderers of other religions and exchanged greetings with the wanderers there. When the greetings and polite conversation were over, I sat down to one side. \u2026\u201d (The wanderers asked the Buddha the very same questions, and he gave the same answers.) \u201cIt\u2019s incredible, sir, it\u2019s amazing, how the whole matter is stated with one phrase. Could there be a detailed explanation of this matter that is both deep and appears deep?\u201d \u201cWell then, \u0100nanda, clarify this matter yourself.\u201d \u201cSir, suppose they were to ask me: \u2018Reverend \u0100nanda, what is the source, origin, birthplace, and inception of old age and death?\u2019 I\u2019d answer like this: \u2018Reverends, rebirth is the source, origin, birthplace, and inception of old age and death.\u2019 That\u2019s how I\u2019d answer such a question. Suppose they were to ask me: \u2018What is the source of rebirth?\u2019 I\u2019d answer like this: \u2018Continued existence is the source of rebirth.\u2019 That\u2019s how I\u2019d answer such a question. Suppose they were to ask me: \u2018What is the source of continued existence?\u2019 I\u2019d answer like this: \u2018Grasping is the source of continued existence.\u2019 That\u2019s how I\u2019d answer such a question. Suppose they were to ask me: \u2018What is the source of grasping?\u2019 \u2026 craving \u2026 feeling \u2026 Suppose they were to ask me: \u2018What is the source of contact?\u2019 I\u2019d answer like this: \u2018The six sense fields are the source, origin, birthplace, and inception of contact.\u2019 \u2018When the six fields of contact fade away and cease with no residue left behind, contact ceases. When contact ceases, feeling ceases. When feeling ceases, craving ceases. When craving ceases, grasping ceases. When grasping ceases, continued existence ceases. When continued existence ceases, rebirth ceases. When rebirth ceases, old age and death, sorrow, lamentation, pain, sadness, and distress cease. That is how this entire mass of suffering ceases.\u2019 That\u2019s how I\u2019d answer such a question.\u201d","title":"Followers of Other Religions","tradition":"Samyutta Nikaya","translated_text":null,"word_count":1027}