[388] S. — The future (anāgata) exists?
P. — Yes.
S. — But was it not said by the Blessed One: "Bhikkhus, if in regard to the nutriment of edible food (kabaḷīkārāhāra) there is no lust (rāga), no delight (nandi), no craving (taṇhā), consciousness (viññāṇa) does not become established there and does not come to growth. Where consciousness is not established and has not come to growth, there is no descent (avakkanti) of name-and-form (nāmarūpa). Where there is no descent of name-and-form, there is no growth of volitional formations (saṅkhārā). Where there is no growth of volitional formations, there is no production of renewed existence in the future (āyatiṃ punabbhavābhinibbatti). Where there is no production of renewed existence in the future, there is no birth, aging, and death (jāti-jarā-maraṇa) in the future. Where there is no birth, aging, and death in the future — that, bhikkhus, I declare, is without sorrow, without dust, without despair. Bhikkhus, if in regard to the nutriment of contact (phassa) … Bhikkhus, if in regard to the nutriment of mental volition (manosañcetanā) … Bhikkhus, if in regard to the nutriment of consciousness there is no lust, no delight … 'without dust, without despair,' I declare" — does such a discourse (suttanta) indeed exist?
P. — Yes.
S. — Then indeed it should not be said: "The future exists."
The Discussion of "Everything Exists" (Sabbamatthītikathā) is concluded.
____________
The Discussion of "The Past Is Aggregates" (Atītaṃ Khandhātikathā)
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.