[11] "So it seems, friends, that for the Nigaṇṭhas this cannot be obtained: 'Let a deed (kamma) whose result is to be experienced in this present life become, through exertion (upakkama) or through striving (padhāna), one to be experienced in a future life.' This cannot be obtained: 'Let a deed to be experienced in a future life become, through exertion or through striving, one to be experienced in this present life.' This cannot be obtained: 'Let a deed to be experienced as pleasant become, through exertion or through striving, one to be experienced as painful.' This cannot be obtained: 'Let a deed to be experienced as painful become, through exertion or through striving, one to be experienced as pleasant.' This cannot be obtained: 'Let a deed to be experienced when matured become, through exertion or through striving, one to be experienced when not matured.' This cannot be obtained: 'Let a deed to be experienced when not matured become, through exertion or through striving, one to be experienced when matured.' This cannot be obtained: 'Let a deed to be experienced much become, through exertion or through striving, one to be experienced little.' This cannot be obtained: 'Let a deed to be experienced little become, through exertion or through striving, one to be experienced much.' This cannot be obtained: 'Let a deed that is to be experienced become, through exertion or through striving, one not to be experienced.' This cannot be obtained: 'Let a deed that is not to be experienced become, through exertion or through striving, one to be experienced.' Such being the case, the exertion of the venerable Nigaṇṭhas is fruitless; their striving is fruitless.
Bhikkhus, such is the doctrine of the Nigaṇṭhas. And for the Nigaṇṭhas who hold such a doctrine, ten legitimate assertions and their consequent implications (vādānuvādā) arrive at a position deserving censure.
Bhikkhus, if beings experience pleasure and pain caused by what was done in the past, then certainly, bhikkhus, the Nigaṇṭhas were doers of evil deeds in the past, in that they now feel such painful, racking, sharp feelings (vedanā). If beings experience pleasure and pain caused by the creation of a Supreme God (issara), then certainly, bhikkhus, the Nigaṇṭhas were created by an evil Supreme God, in that they now feel such painful, racking, sharp feelings. If beings experience pleasure and pain caused by circumstance and nature (saṅgatibhāva), then certainly, bhikkhus, the Nigaṇṭhas are of evil circumstance and nature, in that they now feel such painful, racking, sharp feelings. If beings experience pleasure and pain caused by class of birth (abhijāti), then certainly, bhikkhus, the Nigaṇṭhas are of an evil class of birth, in that they now feel such painful, racking, sharp feelings. If beings experience pleasure and pain caused by exertion in this present life, then certainly, bhikkhus, the Nigaṇṭhas exert themselves badly in this present life, in that they now feel such painful, racking, sharp feelings. Bhikkhus, if beings experience pleasure and pain caused by what was done in the past, the Nigaṇṭhas deserve censure; and if beings do not experience pleasure and pain caused by what was done in the past, the Nigaṇṭhas deserve censure. If beings experience pleasure and pain caused by the creation of a Supreme God, the Nigaṇṭhas deserve censure; and if beings do not experience pleasure and pain caused by the creation of a Supreme God, the Nigaṇṭhas deserve censure. If beings experience pleasure and pain caused by circumstance and nature, the Nigaṇṭhas deserve censure; and if beings do not experience pleasure and pain caused by circumstance and nature, the Nigaṇṭhas deserve censure. If beings experience pleasure and pain caused by class of birth, the Nigaṇṭhas deserve censure; and if beings do not experience pleasure and pain caused by class of birth, the Nigaṇṭhas deserve censure. If beings experience pleasure and pain caused by exertion in this present life, the Nigaṇṭhas deserve censure; and if beings do not experience pleasure and pain caused by exertion in this present life, the Nigaṇṭhas deserve censure. Bhikkhus, such is the doctrine of the Nigaṇṭhas; and for the Nigaṇṭhas who hold such a doctrine, these ten legitimate assertions and their consequent implications arrive at a position deserving censure. It is in this way, bhikkhus, that exertion is fruitless, that striving is fruitless."
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.