Sutta Name Nikaya Vagga Academic PTS PSA Plae Keywords Notes
Cuu.lamalu"nkyovaada | Cuu.lamalu"nkya Majjhima Majjhimapa.n.naasa, Bhikkhu Vagga MN.063 M.i.426ff. 20/296 speculation, questions, poison arrow Ven. Malunkyaputta threatens to disrobe unless the Buddha answers all his speculative metaphysical questions. The Buddha points out to him that no promise was made regarding the elucidation of such problems and tells him it were fitter if he were to speculate by striving for deliverance. Using the famous simile of a man shot by a poison arrow, the Buddha reminds him that some questions are simply not worth asking. Ten erroneous extremist views (antagaahikadi.t.thi) are enumerated: 1. the world is eternal; 2. the world is not eternal; 3. the world is finite; 4. the world is infinite; 5. the soul and the body are identical; 6. the soul is one thing and the body is another; 7. the Tathaagata exists after death; 8. the Tathaagata doesn't exist after death; the Tathaagata both exists and doesn't exist after death, and; 10. the Tathaagata neither exists nor doesn't exist after death at M.i.426. Malunkyaputta sees the error of his ways.


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Last modified on: Sunday, 9 January 2000.