[529] When he had sat down to one side, the Venerable Sāriputta said this to the Venerable Mahākassapa: "How is it, friend Kassapa — does the Tathāgata exist after death?"
"That, friend, has not been declared by the Blessed One: 'The Tathāgata exists after death.'"
"Then, friend, does the Tathāgata not exist after death?"
"That too, friend, has not been declared by the Blessed One: 'The Tathāgata does not exist after death.'"
"How is it then, friend — does the Tathāgata both exist and not exist after death?"
"That, friend, has not been declared by the Blessed One: 'The Tathāgata both exists and does not exist after death.'"
"Then, friend, does the Tathāgata neither exist nor not exist after death?"
"That too, friend, has not been declared by the Blessed One: 'The Tathāgata neither exists nor does not exist after death.'"
"And why, friend, has this not been declared by the Blessed One?"
"Because, friend, this is not connected with the goal, is not fundamental to the holy life, and does not lead to disenchantment, to dispassion, to cessation, to peace, to direct knowledge, to full awakening, to Nibbāna. Therefore it has not been declared by the Blessed One."
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.