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My Teachings
by The Buddha
© 1999 Penguin Putnam Inc.
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Consider carefully the things I have taught and the things I have not taught.
- I have not taught that the world is eternal. I have not taught that the world is ephemeral. I have not taught that the world is finite. I have not taught that the world is infinite. I have not taught that the soul and the body are the same. I have not taught that the soul and the body are different. I have not taught that the liberated person exists after death. I have not taught that he does not exist after death>
- Why have I not taught all this? Because all this is useless, it has nothing to do with real Truth. It does not lead to cessation of passion, to peace, to supreme wisdom, to the holy life, nor to Nirvana. That is why I have not taught all this.
- And what have I taught? I have taught that suffering exists, that suffering has an origin, that suffering has an end.
- Why have I taught this? Because this is useful, it has to do with real Truth. It leads to the cessation of passion, it brings peace, supreme wisdom, the holy life, and Nirvana. That is why I have taught all this.
- Therefore, consider carefully what I have taught and what I have not taught.
Reprinted from Inner Treasure, collected and edited by Jonathan Star. Copyright 1999 by Tarcher/Putnam. Permission granted by Jeremy P. Tarcher, Inc., a division of Penguin Putnam, Inc. All rights reserved.
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