[512] "But, lady, what is the counterpart of pleasant feeling (vedanā)?"
"Friend Visākha, lust (rāga) is the counterpart of pleasant feeling."
"But, lady, what is the counterpart of painful feeling?"
"Friend Visākha, aversion (paṭigha) is the counterpart of painful feeling."
"But, lady, what is the counterpart of neither-painful-nor-pleasant feeling?"
"Friend Visākha, ignorance (avijjā) is the counterpart of neither-painful-nor-pleasant feeling."
"But, lady, what is the counterpart of ignorance?"
"Friend Visākha, true knowledge (vijjā) is the counterpart of ignorance."
"But, lady, what is the counterpart of true knowledge?"
"Friend Visākha, liberation (vimutti) is the counterpart of true knowledge."
"But, lady, what is the counterpart of liberation?"
"Visākha, Nibbāna is the counterpart of liberation."
"But, lady, what is the counterpart of Nibbāna?"
"Friend Visākha, you have gone too far with your question; you were not able to grasp the limit of questions. For, friend Visākha, the holy life (brahmacariya) merges in Nibbāna, has Nibbāna as its destination, has Nibbāna as its consummation. If you wish, friend Visākha, you may go to the Blessed One and ask him about this matter; and as the Blessed One answers it to you, so should you bear it in mind."
[Editions note: In the 'counterpart' (paṭibhāga) exchange, the Siam Raṭṭha edition reads lust (rāga), aversion (paṭigha), and ignorance (avijjā) as the counterparts of the three feelings, as translated. The Mahāsaṅgīti and PTS editions read the feelings themselves as counterparts ('painful feeling is the counterpart of pleasant feeling', etc.). This translation follows the Siam Raṭṭha reading.]
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.