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P. Should it not be said, "The future exists"?
S. Yes.
P. But was it not said by the Blessed One: "Bhikkhus, if in regard to the nutriment (āhāra) edible food (kabaḷīkārāhāra) there is lust (rāga), there is delight (nandi), there is craving (taṇhā), consciousness (viññāṇa) becomes established there and comes to growth. Where consciousness is established and has come to growth, therein there is the descent (avakkanti) of name-and-form (nāmarūpa). Where there is the descent of name-and-form, therein there is the growth of volitional formations (saṅkhārā). Where there is the growth of volitional formations, therein there is the production of renewed existence in the future (āyatiṃ punabbhavābhinibbatti). Where there is the production of renewed existence in the future, therein there is birth, aging, and death (jāti-jarā-maraṇa) in the future. Where there is birth, aging, and death in the future, that, bhikkhus, I say, is with sorrow (soka), with dust (raja), with despair (upāyāsa). Bhikkhus, if in regard to the nutriment contact (phassa) … Bhikkhus, if in regard to the nutriment mental volition (manosañcetanā) … Bhikkhus, if in regard to the nutriment consciousness there is lust, there is delight, … with dust, with despair, I say"³? Is there really such a discourse (suttanta)?
S. Yes.
P. Well then, it should not be said, "The future exists."
# ¹ Saṃ. Saḷāyatana. 65 ² Aṃ. Tika. 253 ³ Saṃ. Ni. 122
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.