[296] Then, in the evening, the venerable Sāriputta, having emerged from seclusion, approached the venerable Puṇṇa Mantāṇiputta; having approached, he exchanged greetings with the venerable Puṇṇa Mantāṇiputta, and when the courteous and memorable talk was concluded, he sat down to one side. Seated to one side, the venerable Sāriputta said this to the venerable Puṇṇa Mantāṇiputta: "Friend, is the holy life (brahmacariya) lived under our Blessed One?"
"Yes, friend."
"But, friend, is the holy life lived under the Blessed One for the sake of purification of virtue (sīlavisuddhi)?"
"Certainly not, friend."
"Then, friend, is the holy life lived under the Blessed One for the sake of purification of mind (cittavisuddhi)?"
"Certainly not, friend."
"But, friend, is the holy life lived under the Blessed One for the sake of purification of view (diṭṭhivisuddhi)?"
"Certainly not, friend."
"Then, friend, is the holy life lived under the Blessed One for the sake of purification by overcoming doubt (kaṅkhāvitaraṇavisuddhi)?"
"Certainly not, friend."
"But, friend, is the holy life lived under the Blessed One for the sake of purification by knowledge (ñāṇa) and vision of what is the path and what is not the path (maggāmaggañāṇadassanavisuddhi)?"
"Certainly not, friend."
"Then, friend, is the holy life lived under the Blessed One for the sake of purification by knowledge and vision of the way (paṭipadāñāṇadassanavisuddhi)?"
"Certainly not, friend."
"But, friend, is the holy life lived under the Blessed One for the sake of purification by knowledge and vision (ñāṇadassanavisuddhi)?"
"Certainly not, friend."
"Friend, when asked, 'But, friend, is the holy life lived under the Blessed One for the sake of purification of virtue?' you say, 'Certainly not, friend.' When asked, 'Then, friend, is the holy life lived under the Blessed One for the sake of purification of mind?' you say, 'Certainly not, friend.' When asked, 'But, friend, is the holy life lived under the Blessed One for the sake of purification of view?' you say, 'Certainly not, friend.' When asked, 'Then, friend, … for the sake of purification by overcoming doubt …' 'But, friend, … for the sake of purification by knowledge and vision of what is the path and what is not the path …' 'Then, friend, … for the sake of purification by knowledge and vision of the way …' when asked, 'But, friend, is the holy life lived under the Blessed One for the sake of purification by knowledge and vision?' you say, 'Certainly not, friend.' For the sake of what, then, friend, is the holy life lived under the Blessed One?"
"Friend, the holy life is lived under the Blessed One for the sake of final Nibbāna without clinging (anupādāparinibbāna)."
"But, friend, is purification of virtue final Nibbāna without clinging?"
"Certainly not, friend."
"Then, friend, is purification of mind final Nibbāna without clinging?"
"Certainly not, friend."
"But, friend, is purification of view final Nibbāna without clinging?"
"Certainly not, friend."
"Then, friend, is purification by overcoming doubt final Nibbāna without clinging?"
"Certainly not, friend."
"But, friend, is purification by knowledge and vision of what is the path and what is not the path final Nibbāna without clinging?"
"Certainly not, friend."
"Then, friend, is purification by knowledge and vision of the way final Nibbāna without clinging?"
"Certainly not, friend."
"But, friend, is purification by knowledge and vision final Nibbāna without clinging?"
"Certainly not, friend."
"Then, friend, is final Nibbāna without clinging something apart from these states?"
"Certainly not, friend."
"Friend, when asked, 'But, friend, is purification of virtue final Nibbāna without clinging?' you say, 'Certainly not, friend.' When asked, 'Then, friend, is purification of mind final Nibbāna without clinging?' you say, 'Certainly not, friend.' When asked, 'But, friend, is purification of view final Nibbāna without clinging?' … 'Then, friend, is purification by overcoming doubt …' 'But, friend, is purification by knowledge and vision of what is the path and what is not the path …' 'Then, friend, is purification by knowledge and vision of the way …' when asked, 'But, friend, is purification by knowledge and vision final Nibbāna without clinging?' you say, 'Certainly not, friend.' And when asked, 'Then, friend, is final Nibbāna without clinging something apart from these states?' you say, 'Certainly not, friend.' How, then, friend, should the meaning of this statement be seen?"
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.