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The 10+n
Unanswered Questions
Once too the wanderer Uttiya went to the Blessed One. Greeting him, he sat down
at one side. Then he asked: “How is it
Master Gotama, the world is eternal: is only that the truth and everything else wrong?” “That is not
answered by me, Uttiya”. “Then the
world is not eternal: is only that the truth and everything else wrong?” “That too is
not answered by me, Uttiya.” “The world is finite: is only that the truth and everything else wrong?”
“That too is not answered by me, Uttiya.” “Then the
world is infinite: is only that the truth and everything else wrong?” “That too is not answered by me, Uttiya.” “The soul is the same as the body: is only that the truth and
everything else wrong.” “That too is not answered by me, Uttiya.” “Then the soul is one and the body another: is only that the truth and everything else wrong?” “That too is not answered by me, Uttiya.” “After death a Perfect One is: is only that the truth and everything
else wrong?" “That too is not answered by me, Uttiya.” “Then after death a Perfect
One is not: is only that the truth and everything else wrong?” “That too is not answered by me, Uttiya.” “Then after death a Perfect One both is and is not: is only that the truth
and everything else wrong?” “That too is not answered by me, Uttiya.” “Then after death a Perfect One neither is nor is not: is only that the truth
and everything else wrong?” “That too is
not answered by me, Uttiya.” “But why does Master Gotama decline to answer when I ask these
questions? What then is answered by Master Gotama?” “I teach the Dhamma to disciples from direct knowledge*, Uttiya, for
purification of beings, for surmounting sorrow and lamentation for
ending pain and grief, for attainment of the true goal, for realising Nibbana.” A.10:95
Translated by
Nanamoli * This statement suggests
that Master Gotama had no direct knowledge of the subjects of the above
questions. Questions not
asked by Uttiya, but by others: “The
world is a terrible place?” “That too is
not answered by me, Victor.” “Then
the world is a wonderful place?” “That too is
not answered by me, Victor.” “Does
atta exist?” “That too is
not answered by me, Vacchagotta.” “Does
atta not exist?” “That too is
not answered by me, Vacchagotta.” (S 44:10) “‘There
is no fundamental difference between samsara and nirvana?, is that the truth” “That too is
not answered by me, Nagarjuna.” “‘Form
is emptiness and emptiness is form’ is that the truth?” “That too is
not answered by me, Nagarjuna.” “Why are these questions
not answered by a Perfect One? Because they all treat of a Perfect One after death in terms of form (and the rest)"
(S. 44:3). "Because they are
asked by one who is not free from desire,
love, thirst, fever, and craving for form (and the rest (S 44:5). "Because
they are asked by one who relishes form (and the rest) and
also being and clinging and craving, and who does not know how
these things cease" (S. 44:6). "Such
questions belong to the thicket of views ... the fetter of views:
they are connected with suffering, anguish, despair and fever, and
they do not lead to dispassion, fading, stilling, direct
knowledge, enlightenment, Nibbana" (M. 72). |