俱舍論頌疏論本 30.2

30.2

古昔諸師已解此結。昔有大德名曰龍軍，三明六通具八解脫，于時一畢隣陀王至大德所，作如是說：「我今來意欲請所疑，然諸沙門性好多語，尊能直答，我當請問。」大德受請。王即問言：「命者與身為一為異？」大德答言：「此不應記。」王言：「豈不先有要耶？今何異言不答前問？」大德責曰：「我欲問疑，然諸國王性好多語，王能直答，我當發問。」王便受教。大德問言：「大王宮中諸菴羅樹所生果味為醋為甘？」王言：「宮中本無此樹。」大德復責：「先無要耶？今何異言不答所問？」王言：「宮中此樹既無，容可答言果味甘醋？」大德誨曰：「命者亦無，如何可言與身一異？」

Masters of ancient times have already untied this knot. Formerly there was a venerable master named Nāgasena, endowed with the three knowledges, the six supernormal powers, and complete with the eight liberations. At that time, a king, Milinda, came to the venerable master and spoke as follows: "My intention in coming now is to ask about my doubts. However, the nature of monks is to be fond of many words. If the Venerable One can answer directly, I will ask." The venerable master accepted the request. The king then asked: "Is the life-principle identical to or different from the body?" The venerable master answered: "This should not be declared." The king said: "Did we not have an agreement beforehand? Why do you now make different statements and not answer my previous question?" The venerable master reproached him: "I wish to ask about a doubt. However, the nature of kings is to be fond of many words. If the Great King can answer directly, I will raise my question." The king then agreed. The venerable master asked: "Are the fruits borne by the mango trees in the Great King's palace sour or sweet in flavor?" The king said: "There are no such trees in the palace to begin with." The venerable master again reproached him: "Did we not have an agreement beforehand? Why do you now make different statements and not answer what was asked?" The king said: "Since these trees do not exist in the palace, how could it be permissible to answer whether the fruit's flavor is sweet or sour?" The venerable master instructed him: "The life-principle likewise does not exist; how could one say whether it is identical to or different from the body?"