[176] Seated to one side, the brahmin cosmologist (lokāyatika) said this to the Blessed One: "Master Gotama, how is it — does all exist?"
"'All exists,' brahmin: this is the oldest cosmology (lokāyata)."
"Then, Master Gotama, does all not exist?"
"'All does not exist,' brahmin: this is the second cosmology."
"Master Gotama, how is it — is all a unity?"
"'All is a unity,' brahmin: this is the third cosmology."
"Then, Master Gotama, is all a plurality?"
"'All is a plurality,' brahmin: this is the fourth cosmology. Without approaching either of these two extremes, brahmin, the Tathāgata teaches the Dhamma by the middle: with ignorance (avijjā) as condition, volitional formations; with volitional formations as condition, consciousness … Thus is the origin of this whole mass of suffering (dukkha). But with the remainderless fading away and cessation of that very ignorance comes the cessation of volitional formations; with the cessation of volitional formations, the cessation of consciousness … Thus is the cessation of this whole mass of suffering."
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.