Mil 3.5.10
10. Question on Pointing Out the Buddha
10. Buddhanidassanapañha
from: Buddha Chapter
10. Question on Pointing Out the Buddha
The king asked: “Venerable Nāgasena, does the Buddha exist?” “Yes, your majesty, the Blessed One exists.” “Is it then possible, venerable sir, to point to the Buddha as being either here or there?” “The Blessed One has passed away, your majesty, in the element of nibbāna without residue remaining, so it is not possible to point to the Blessed One as being either here or there.”
“Please give me an analogy.” “What do you think, your majesty, when the flame of a great burning mass of fire has been extinguished, is it possible to point to that flame and say it remains here or there?” “Certainly not, venerable sir, for that flame has ceased and gone beyond description.” “In the same way, your majesty, the Blessed One has passed away in the element of nibbāna without residue remaining, so it is not possible to point to the Blessed One as being either here or there. However, your majesty, it is possible to point out the Blessed One through the body of Dhamma, for this Dhamma has been taught by the Blessed One.”
“You are clever, Venerable Nāgasena!”
Question on Pointing Out the Buddha tenth
Buddha Chapter fifth
In this chapter ten questions
10. Buddhanidassanapañha
Rājā āha— “bhante nāgasena, buddho atthī”ti? “Āma, mahārāja, bhagavā atthī”ti. “Sakkā pana, bhante nāgasena, buddho nidassetuṁ idha vā idha vā”ti? “Parinibbuto, mahārāja, bhagavā anupādisesāya nibbānadhātuyā, na sakkā bhagavā nidassetuṁ ‘idha vā idha vā’”ti.
“Opammaṁ karohī”ti. “Taṁ kiṁ maññasi, mahārāja, mahato aggikkhandhassa jalamānassa yā acci atthaṅgatā, sakkā sā acci dassetuṁ ‘idha vā idha vā’”ti? “Na hi, bhante, niruddhā sā acci appaññattiṁ gatā”ti. “Evameva kho, mahārāja, bhagavā anupādisesāya nibbānadhātuyā parinibbuto atthaṅgato, na sakkā bhagavā nidassetuṁ ‘idha vā idha vā’ti, dhammakāyena pana kho, mahārāja, sakkā bhagavā nidassetuṁ. Dhammo hi, mahārāja, bhagavatā desito”ti.
“Kallosi, bhante nāgasenā”ti.
Buddhanidassanapañho dasamo.
Buddhavaggo pañcamo.
Imasmiṁ vagge dasa pañhā.