It seems that there were some among his own disciples who did not
appreciate this attitude of his. For, we have the example of one of them, Malunkyaputta by name, who put to the Buddha ten well-known classical
questions on metaphysical problems and demanded answers. One day
Malunkyaputta got up from his afternoon meditation, went to the Buddha, saluted
him, sat on one side and said: ‘Sir, when I was all alone meditating, this thought
occurred to me: There are these problems unexplained, put aside and rejected by
the Blessed One. Namely, (1) is the universe eternal or (2) is it not eternal, (3) is the
universe finite or (4) is it infinite, (5) is soul the same as body or (6) is soul one thing
and body another thing, (7) does the Tathagata exist after death, or (8) does he not
exist after death, or (9) does he both (at the same time) exist after death, or (10) does
he both (at the same time) not exist and not not-exist. These problems the Blessed
One does not explain to me. This (attitude) does not please me, I do not appreciate it. I will go to the
Blessed One ask him about this matter. If the Blessed One explains them tome, then
I will continue to follow the holy life under him. If he does not explain them, I will
leave the Order and go away. If the Blessed One knows that the universe is eternal,
let him explain it to me so. If the Blessed One knows that the universe is not eternal,
let him say so. If the Blessed One does not know whether the universe is eternal or
not, etc., then for a person who does not know, it is straight-forward to say " I do not
know, I do not see".’
The Buddha’s reply to Malunkyaputta should do good to many millions in
the world today who are wasting valuable time on such metaphysical questions and
unnecessarily disturbing their peace of mind: ‘Did I ever tell you, Malunkyaputta,
“Come, Malunkyaputta, lead the holy life under me, I will explain these questions to
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you?”’ ‘No, Sir.’ ‘Then, Malunkyaputta, even you, did you tell me: “Sir, I will lead the
holy life under the Blessed One, and the Blessed One will explain these questions
to me”?’ ‘No, Sir.’ 'Even now, Malunkyaputta, I do not tell you: “Come and lead the
holy life under me, I will explain these question to you”.
And you do not tell me either: “Sir, I will lead the holy life under the Blessed
One, and he will explain these questions to me”. Under these circumstances, you
foolish one, who refuses whom? ‘Malunkyaputta, if anyone says: “I will not lead the
holy life under the Blessed One until he explains these questions,” he may die with
these questions unanswered by the Tathagata.
Suppose Malunkyaputta, a man is wounded by the poisoned arrow, and his
friends and relatives bring him to a surgeon. Suppose the man should then say: " I
will not let this arrow be taken out until I know who shot me; whether he is a
Ksatriya (of the low caste); what his name and family may be; whether he is tall,
short, or of medium stature; whether his complexion is black, brown, or golden; from
which village, town or city he comes. I will not let this arrow be taken out until I
know the kind of bow with which I was shot; the kind of bowstring used; the type of
arrow; what sort of feather was used on the arrow and with what kind of material the
point of the arrow was made." Malunkyaputta, that man would die without knowing
any of these things. Even so, Malunkyaputta, if anyone says: " I will not follow the
holy life under the Blessed One until he answers these questions such as whether
the universe is eternal or not, etc.," he would die with these questions unanswered by
the Tathagata.’
Then the Buddha explains to Malunkyaputta that the holy life does not
depend on these views. Whatever opinion one may have about these problems,
there is birth, old age, decay, death, sorrow, lamentation, pain, grief, distress, " the
Cessation of which (i.e. Nirvana) I declare in this very life." 'Therefore, Malunkyaputta, bear in mind what I have explained as explained, and what I have
not explained as unexplained. What are the things that I have not explained?
Whether the universe is eternal or not, etc., (those 10 opinions) I have not explained.
Why, Malunkyaputta, have not explained them? Because it is not useful, it is not
fundamentally connected with the spiritual holy life, is not conducive to aversion,
detachment, cessation, tranquility, deep penetration, full realization, Nirvana. That
is why I have not told you about them.