Skip to reading
← Saṃyutta Nikāya

Neither Still Exists Nor No Longer Exists

SN 24.36 · Nevahotinanahotisutta

Open sky above a quiet upland and a low juniper.

At Sāvatthī.

“Mendicants, when what exists, because of grasping what and insisting on what, does the view arise: ‘A realized one neither still exists nor no longer exists after death’?”

“Our teachings are rooted in the Buddha. …”

“When form exists, because of grasping form and insisting on form, the view arises: ‘A realized one neither still exists nor no longer exists after death.’ When feeling … perception … choices … consciousness exists, because of grasping consciousness and insisting on consciousness, the view arises: ‘A realized one neither still exists nor no longer exists after death.’

What do you think, mendicants? Is form permanent or impermanent?”

“Impermanent, sir.” …

“And so, when suffering exists, because of grasping suffering and insisting on suffering, the view arises: ‘A realized one neither still exists nor no longer exists after death.’” …

“Is feeling … perception … choices … consciousness permanent or impermanent?”

“Impermanent, sir.” …

“But by not grasping what’s impermanent, suffering, and perishable, would such a view arise?”

“No, sir.”

“And so, when suffering exists, because of grasping suffering and insisting on suffering, the view arises: ‘A realized one neither still exists nor no longer exists after death.’”

Connections

Collection & context

Books

About this edition

Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato · SuttaCentral · CC0

This translation is an expression of an ancient spiritual text that has been passed down by the Buddhist tradition for the benefit of all sentient beings. It is dedicated to the public domain via Creative Commons Zero (CC0). You are encouraged to copy, reproduce, adapt, alter, or otherwise make use of this translation. The translator respectfully requests that any use be in accordance with the values and principles of the Buddhist community. In particular, please do not use this work in AI training datasets, for the development of any AI model or algorithm, or in any AI-derived technologies.

Published source. Translation wording and order are preserved; source headings and notes are retained, with navigation and formatting adapted for this reader.

The opening image is AI-generated nature artwork for Buddhist Atlas, an evocative companion rather than a historical depiction.