Mil 3.5.1
1. Question on the Existence or Non-existence of the Buddha
1. Buddhassaatthinatthibhāvapañha
from: Buddha Chapter
1. Question on the Existence or Non-existence of the Buddha
The king asked: “Venerable Nāgasena, have you seen the Buddha?” “Certainly not, your majesty.” “Then, have your teachers seen the Buddha?” “Certainly not, your majesty.” “Therefore, Venerable Nāgasena, there is no Buddha.” “Well then, your majesty, have you seen the River Ūhā in the Himalayas?” “Certainly not, venerable sir.” “Then has your father seen the River Ūhā?” “Certainly not, venerable sir.” “Because of this, your majesty, there is no River Ūhā.” “There is, venerable sir. Even though the River Ūhā has not been seen by me nor by my father, there is a River Ūhā.” “In the same way, your majesty, even though the Blessed One has not been seen by me nor by my teachers, there is a Blessed One.”
“You are clever, Venerable Nāgasena!”
Question on the Existence or Non-existence of the Buddha first
1. Buddhassaatthinatthibhāvapañha
Rājā āha— “bhante nāgasena, buddho tayā diṭṭho”ti? “Na hi, mahārājā”ti. “Atha te ācariyehi buddho diṭṭho”ti? “Na hi, mahārājā”ti. “Tena hi, bhante nāgasena, natthi buddho”ti. “Kiṁ pana, mahārāja, himavati ūhā nadī tayā diṭṭhā”ti? “Na hi, bhante”ti. “Atha te pitarā ūhā nadī diṭṭhā”ti? “Na hi, bhante”ti. “Tena hi, mahārāja, natthi ūhā nadī”ti. “Atthi, bhante, kiñcāpi mayā ūhā nadī na diṭṭhā, pitarāpi me ūhā nadī na diṭṭhā, api ca atthi ūhā nadī”ti. “Evameva kho, mahārāja, kiñcāpi mayā bhagavā na diṭṭho, ācariyehipi me bhagavā na diṭṭho, api ca atthi bhagavā”ti.
“Kallosi, bhante nāgasenā”ti.
Buddhassa atthinatthibhāvapañho paṭhamo.