Anuradha Discourse
I heard these words of the Buddha one time when the Lord was staying in the gabled house in the Great Forest near the town of Vaiśālī. At that time, the Venerable Anurādha was staying in a hermitage in the forest not far from where the Buddha was. One day a group of recluses came to see the Venerable Anurādha, and after exchanging greetings and courtesies, asked the venerable monk, “Venerable Anurādha, the Tathāgata is often praised for having reached the highest fruit of awakening. He must have explained to you his understanding of these four propositions:
1. “After death, the Tathāgata continues to exist.
2. “After death, the Tathāgata ceases to exist.
3. “After death, the Tathāgata both continues and ceases to exist.
4. “After death, the Tathāgata neither continues nor ceases to exist.
“Please tell us which of these propositions is true.”
The Venerable Anurādha replied, “Friends, the Tathāgata, the World-Honored One, the one who has realized the highest fruit of awakening, has never proposed or spoken about these four propositions.”
When they heard the Venerable Anurādha’s reply, the recluses said, “It is possible that this monk has just been ordained, or if he was ordained some time ago, he must be of slow wits.” Not satisfied with Venerable Anurādha’s answer, they left him.
When the recluses had gone, the Venerable Anurādha thought, “If recluses continue to ask me these questions, how should I answer so as to speak the truth and not misrepresent the teachings of the Buddha? How should I answer so as to be in harmony with the right Dharma and not to be criticized by the adherents of the Buddha’s path?” Then Anurādha went to where the Buddha was staying, bowed to the Buddha, spoke words of greeting, and then told the Buddha what had happened.
The Buddha asked him, “What do you think, Anurādha? Can you find the Tathāgata in form?”
“No, World-Honored One.”
“Can you find the Tathāgata outside of form?”
“No, World-Honored One.”
“Can you find the Tathāgata in feelings, perceptions, mental formations, or consciousness?”
“No, World-Honored One.”
“Can you find the Tathāgata outside of feelings, perceptions, mental formations, or consciousness?”
“No, World-Honored One.”
“Well then, Anurādha, do you think that the Tathāgata transcends form, feelings, perceptions, mental formations, and consciousness?”
“No, World-Honored One.”
“Anurādha, if you cannot find the Tathāgata even while he is still alive, can you find the Tathāgata within these four propositions:
1. “After death, the Tathāgata continues to exist.
2. “After death, the Tathāgata ceases to exist.
3. “After death, the Tathāgata both continues and ceases to exist.
4. “After death, the Tathāgata neither continues nor ceases to exist.”
“No, World-Honored One.”
“Quite so, Anurādha. The Tathāgata has only taught in relation to one thing: suffering and the end of suffering.”