54(1)Undeclared
Then a certain bhikkhu approached the Blessed One,
paid homage to him,[68]sat down to one side,
and said:
"Bhante,why is it that doubt does not arise in the instructed noble disciple about the undeclared points?"
The undeclared points(abyakatavatthuni)are ten matters that the Buddha has not addressed:whether or not the world is eternal, whether the world is finite or infinite,whether the life-principle is the same as the body or different from the body,and the four alternatives concerning the after-death status of the Tathāgata."With the cessation of views,bhikkhu,doubt does not arise in ihe instructed noble disciple about the undeclared points.
(1)"'The Tathāgata exists after death':this is an involvement with views;
'The Tathāgata does not exist after death':this is an involvement with views;
'The Tathāgata both exists and does not exist after death':this is an involvement with views;
'The Tathāgata neither exists nor does not exist after death':this is an involvement with views.
"Bhikkhu,the uninstructed worldling does not understand views,their origin,their cessation,and the way leading to their cessation.
For him,that view increases.He is not freed from birth,from old age and death,from sorrow,lamentation,pain,dejection,and anguish;he is not freed from suffering,I say.
"But the instructed noble disciple understands views,their origin,their cessation,and the way leading to their cessation.
For him,that view ceases.He is freed from birth,from oldage and death,from sorrow,lamentation,pain,dejection,and anguish;he is freed from suffering,I say.
"Knowing thus,seeing thus,the instructed noble disciple does not declare:'The Tathāgata exists after death';
or:'The Tathāgata does not exist after death';
or:'The Tathagata both exists and does not exist after death';
or:'The Tathagata nei-ther exists nor does notexist after death.'
Knowing thus,seeing thus,the instructed noble disciple does not make declarations regarding the undeclared points.
"Knowing thus,bhikkhu,seeing thus,the instructed noble disciple does not tremble,does not shake,
Na chambhati,na kampati,na vedhati,na santasam apajjati abyakatavatthusu.Ce also has na calati,not in Be or Ee. does not vacillate;and does not become terrified regarding the undeclared points.(2)"'The Tathāgata exists after death':this is an involvement with craving...(3)...this is [69]an involvement with perception...(4)...something conceived...(5)...a proliferation...(6)an involvement with clinging...(7)...a [ground for]remorse;
'The Tathagata does not exist after death':this is a[ground for]remorse;
'The Tathāgata both exists and does not exist after death':this is a [ground for]remorse;
'The Tathāgata neither exists nor does not exist after death':this is a [groundfor]remorse.
"Bhikkhu,the uninstructed worldling does not understand remorse,its origin,its cessation,and the way leading to its cessation.
For him,that remorse increases.He is not freed from birth,from old age and death,from sorrow,lamentation,pain,dejection,and anguish;he is not freed from suffering,I say.
"But the instructed noble disciple understands remorse,its origin,its cessation,and the way leading to its cessation.
For him,that remorse ceases.He is freed from birth,from oldage and death,from sorrow,lamentation,pain,dejection,and anguish;he is freed from suffering,I say.
"Knowing thus,seeing thus,the instructed noble disciple does not declare:'The Tathāgata exists after death';or:'The Tathāgata does not exist after death';or:'The Tathāgata both exists and does not exist after death';or:'The Tathāgata neither exists nor does not exist after death.'
Knowing thus,seeing thus,the instrucied noble disciple does not make declarations regarding the undeclared points.
"Knowing thus,seeing thus,the instructed noble disciple does not tremble,does not shake,does not vacillate,and does not fall into terror regarding the undeclared points.[70]
"Bhikkhu,this is why doubt does not arise in the instructed noble disciple about the undeclared points."