Linked Discourses 44.5

1. The Undeclared Points

With Sāriputta and Koṭṭhita (3rd)

At one time Venerable Sāriputta and Venerable Mahākoṭṭhita were staying near Varanasi, in the deer park at Isipatana. …
(The same down as far as:)
“What’s the cause, reverend, what’s the reason why this has not been declared by the Buddha?”
“Reverend, if you’re not rid of greed, desire, fondness, thirst, passion, and craving for form …

feeling …
perception …
choices …
consciousness, you think ‘a realized one still exists after death’ …
‘a realized one neither still exists nor no longer exists after death.’
If you are rid of greed for form …
feeling …
perception …
choices …
consciousness, you don’t think ‘a realized one still exists after death’ …
‘a realized one neither still exists nor no longer exists after death.’
This is the cause, this is the reason why this has not been declared by the Buddha.”