Sakka’s Question (14): On the Final Crossing Over

Further, Sakka asked this question to the Buddha:

“Venerable Sir, do all samaṇas and brāhmanas attain the Indestructible (i.e. Nibbāna) where they can find refuge and where all yokes, bonds are overcome? Do all of them practise the Noble Ariya Path which is the right practice for the attainment of the Indestructible? Do they have the Indestructible as the final goal?”

(Sakka’s question is about Nibbāna as the ultimate reality, and about whether holders of diverse views take up the practice of the Ariya Path to attain Nibbāna.)

The Buddha answered:

“Sakka, King of Devas, not all samaṇas and brāhmanas attain the Indestructible (i.e. Nibbāna) where they can find refuge and where all yokes, bonds are overcome. Not all of them practise the noble Ariya Path which is the right practice for the attainment of Nibbāna; nor have the Indestructible as their final goal.”

(Since individual disposition differ among the so-called samaṇas and brāhmanas, their teachings, practices, views and goals differ. Therefore, how could they attain Nibbāna, the ultimate reality, as their common goal? The Buddha makes this clearly in His reply that only those who practise the Ariya Path can attain Nibbāna.)

Sakka then put his last question thus:

“Venerable Sir, what is the reason that not all samaṇas and brāhmanas attain the Indestructible (Nibbāna) where they can find refuge and where all yokes, bonds are overcome? Why is it that they do not practise the Noble Ariya Path which is the right practice for attainment of the Indestructible? Why is it that not all of them have the Indestructible as their final goal?”

And the Bhagavā replied:

“Sakka, King of Devas, those bhikkhus who are free from defilements through the Ariya Path which causes the extinction of craving (in other words, those bhikkhus who are inclined to Nibbāna where all craving is extinct) attain the Indestructible Nibbāna where they find refuge and where all yokes, bonds are overcome. They are the ones who practise the Noble Ariya Path which is the right practice to attain Nibbāna, the Indestructible. They have the Nibbāna the Indestructible, as their final goal. That being so, not all samaṇas and brāhmanas attain Nibbāna the Indestructible, where they find refuge and where all yokes are over come. Not all of them practise the Noble Ariya Path which is the right path to attain Nibbāna the Indestructible. Not all of them have Nibbāna the Indestructible as their final goal.”

(Thus took place a verbal exchange between the noblest of ariyas and Sakka, an ariya, on the subject of Nibbāna, the ultimate reality. They spoke the language of the ariyas which is magnificent as a fully blossomed sal tree. For us worldlings, that language and its meanings are not comprehensible because our field of knowledge does not go beyond the sense faculties. (In other words, our range of perception is limited to our senses only.) The point the Buddha makes here is that only arahats, who have been liberated from defilements through the Ariya Path that destroys craving, attain Nibbāna the ultimate reality. Not all samaṇas and brāhmanas attain Nibbāna.)

The Buddha’s Teaching has Nibbāna the ultimate reality as its culmination. Hence, when the question of Nibbāna has been dealt with fully, there is the end of all questions.

On hearing the Buddha’s reply, Sakka was delighted and said: “Venerable Sir, that indeed is so. O Well-spoken One, that indeed is so. Having learnt the Bhagava’s answer, I have been rid of all doubts about this question. I have no uncertainties now!”

(End of the fourteenth question and answer)