Nature cannot reasonably occur

Due to causes and conditions.

A nature that arises due to causes and conditions

Would be a nature that is produced. [15.1]

 

"A nature that is produced,"

How could that be right?

The natural is not fabricated,

And does not depend on anything else. [15.2]

 

If nature does not exist,

How could there be other-nature?

It is the nature of other-nature

That is identified as "other-nature." [15.3]

 

Apart from nature and other-nature,

What entity could there possibly be?

If there were nature and other-nature,

Entities would be established. [15.4]

 

If entity is not established,

Then neither is nonentity.

It is the transformation of entity

That people call nonentity. [15.5]

 

Those who believe in nature or other-nature,

In entity or nonentity,

Fail to see reality

Within the teachings of the Buddha. [15.6]

 

The Transcendent Conqueror,

With knowledge of both entities and nonentities,

Refuted, in his Instructions to Katayana,

Both existence and nonexistence. [15.7]

 

If something is existent by nature,

It would never become nonexistent,

A nature that undergoes change

Would never make any sense. [15.8]   

 

If no nature exists,

To what does change pertain?

Even if nature exists,

To what could change pertain? [15.9]   

 

"Existence" is apprehension of permanence,

"Nonexistence" a view of annihilation.

The wise, therefore, ought not to adhere

To either existence or nonexistence.[15.10]   

 

To which exists by nature

Is not nonexistence--this is permanence.

"It existed before, but now it does not"--

That implies annihilation. [15.11]            <- Prev   Next ->