The Theories
The Round of the Future
Theories About Annihilationism
"There are recluses and Brahmans, monks, who, upon seven grounds, theorize that living beings can be annihilated. What are the means and references that these honorable recluses and Brahmans use?
Monks, there are recluses and Brahmans who hold this position: 'The soul—made of the four elements—has form, and is offspring to father and mother. Upon dissolution of the body, it is annihilated and does not continue after death.' In this way, some recluses and Brahmans speculate about the total annihilation of living beings.
Another responds to them: 'I do not deny what you say; however, annihilation does not occur at this point. There is another divine soul, possessing form, existing within sense-driven perception, eating solid food. You do not know about this soul, nor have you perceived it; however, I know about it and I have perceived it. Annihilation occurs upon the death of this soul.' In this way, some recluses and Brahmans speculate about the total annihilation of living beings.
Another responds to them: 'I do not deny what you say; however, annihilation does not occur at this point. There is yet another divine soul, possessing form, mind-made with all its limbs intact and not lacking of any body part. You do not know about this soul, nor have you perceived it; however, I know about it and I have perceived it. Annihilation occurs upon the death of this soul.' In this way, some recluses and Brahmans speculate about the total annihilation of living beings.
Another responds to them: 'I do not deny what you say; however, annihilation does not occur at this point. There is another soul beyond that divine soul, existing within the realm of infinite space. This soul arises when beings abandon ideas about form, resistance, and difference; and realize that space is infinite. You do not know about this soul, nor have you perceived it; however, I know about it and I have perceived it. Annihilation occurs upon the death of this soul.' In this way, some recluses and Brahmans speculate about the total annihilation of living beings.
Another responds to them: 'I do not deny what you say; however, annihilation does not occur at this point. There is another soul existing beyond the realm of infinite space. With the realization that consciousness is infinite, this soul arises in the realm of infinite consciousness. You do not know about this soul, nor have you perceived it; however, I know about it and I have perceived it. Annihilation occurs upon the death of this soul.' In this way, some recluses and Brahmans speculate about the total annihilation of living beings.
Another responds to them: 'I do not deny what you say; however, annihilation does not occur at this point. There is another soul existing beyond the realm of infinite consciousness. Realizing nothingness, this soul arises within the realm of nothingness. You do not know about this soul, nor have you perceived it; however, I know about it and I have perceived it. Annihilation occurs upon the death of this soul.' In this way, some recluses and Brahmans speculate about the total annihilation of living beings.
Another responds to them: 'I do not deny what you say; however, annihilation does not occur at this point. There is another soul existing beyond the realm of nothingness. Realizing what is peaceful and what is sublime, this soul arises within the realm of neither consciousness nor unconsciousness. You do not know about this soul, nor have you perceived it; however, I know about it and I have perceived it. Annihilation occurs upon the death of this soul.' In this way, some recluses and Brahmans speculate about the total annihilation of living beings.
These, monks, are those recluses and Brahmans who, upon seven grounds, theorize that living beings can be annihilated. Recluses and Brahmans who theorize that living beings can be annihilated do so only within the boundaries of these seven cases.
Monks, the Tathāgata understands how these misguided theories were formulated. These are the Dhammas that an outsider, when speaking well of the Tathāgata, might speak."