[311] "Even though the worthy Kassapa says this, still in this regard I hold this view: 'Thus indeed there is no other world … fruit or result.'" (Pali elides with …pe…)
"But is there, chieftain, a method … ?" (…)
"There is, worthy Kassapa … ." (…)
"Like what, exactly, chieftain?"
"Here, worthy Kassapa, my men arrest a bandit, a criminal, and present him to me, saying: 'Sir, this is a bandit, a criminal. Prescribe for him whatever punishment you wish.' I say to them: 'Well then, sirs, place this man, still alive, into a pot; close up its mouth; bind it over with damp leather; apply a thick coating of damp clay; lift it onto a stove and light the fire.' Saying 'Very well,' they consent, and they place that man, still alive, into the pot; close up its mouth; bind it over with damp leather; apply a thick coating of damp clay; lift it onto the stove and light the fire. When we know, 'That man has died,' we then lift the pot down, break it open, uncover its mouth, and peer in slowly, thinking, 'Perhaps we shall see his soul (jīva) escaping.' But we do not see his soul escaping. This too, worthy Kassapa, is the method by which I hold this view: 'Thus indeed there is no other world, there are no spontaneously reborn beings (opapātika), there is no fruit or result of deeds well done or ill done.'"
"Well then, chieftain, I shall question you in return on this very point; answer it as seems fitting to you. Do you recall, chieftain, having gone for a midday rest, seeing in a dream a delightful park, a delightful wood, a delightful stretch of ground, a delightful lotus pond?"
"I do recall, worthy Kassapa, having gone for a midday rest, seeing in a dream a delightful park, a delightful wood, a delightful stretch of ground, a delightful lotus pond."
"At that time, do hunchbacked women, dwarf women, wardrobe attendants, and young maidens keep guard over you?"
"Just so, worthy Kassapa; at that time hunchbacked women, dwarf women, wardrobe attendants, and young maidens keep guard over me."
"But do they see your soul entering or leaving?"
"No indeed, worthy Kassapa."
"So then, chieftain: if they, being alive, do not see the soul of you, who are alive, entering or leaving, how then will you see the soul of one who has died entering or leaving? By this method too, chieftain, let it be thus for you: 'Thus indeed there is an other world, there are spontaneously reborn beings, there is fruit and result of deeds well done or ill done.'"
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.