[771] On one occasion the Venerable Sāriputta and the Venerable Mahākoṭṭhita were dwelling at Bārāṇasī, in the Deer Park at Isipatana. Then, in the evening, the Venerable Mahākoṭṭhita, having emerged from seclusion, approached the Venerable Sāriputta; having approached, he exchanged greetings with the Venerable Sāriputta, and when the courteous and memorable talk was concluded, he sat down to one side. Sitting to one side, the Venerable Mahākoṭṭhita said this to the Venerable Sāriputta:
"How is it, friend Sāriputta — does the Tathāgata exist after death?"
"That, friend, has not been declared (abyākata) 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, 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.'"
"Friend, when asked, 'Does the Tathāgata exist after death?' you say, 'That, friend, has not been declared by the Blessed One: "The Tathāgata exists after death."' … When asked, 'Then, friend, does the Tathāgata neither exist nor not exist after death?' you say, 'That too, friend, has not been declared by the Blessed One: "The Tathāgata neither exists nor does not exist after death."' What now, friend, is the cause, what is the reason, why this has not been declared by the Blessed One?"
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.