Milinda’s Questions

Buddha Chapter

7. Question on Transmigrating to Another Body

The king asked:

“Venerable Nāgasena, is there any being at all that transmigrates from this body to another body?”

“Certainly not, your majesty.”

“If, venerable sir, there is no transmigrating from this body to another body, is it not then that one would be freed from evil actions?”

“Yes, your majesty, if it would not reconnect, then one would be freed from evil actions. But because, your majesty, it does reconnect, one therefore is not freed from evil actions.”

“Please give me an analogy.”

“Just as, your majesty, some person or other might steal another person’s mangos, would that man deserve punishment?”

“Yes, venerable sir, he would deserve punishment.”

“But, your majesty, those mangos that were taken are not the same as those that were planted, why would he deserve punishment?”

“Those mangos, venerable sir, arose dependent on the others, therefore he would deserve punishment.”

“In the same way, your majesty, with this name-and-form one performs a lovely or an evil action, and by this action another name-and-form reconnects. Therefore, one is not freed from evil actions.”

“You are clever, Venerable Nāgasena!”

Question on Transmigrating to Another Body seventh