Dictionary of Pali Proper Names v1.c7.530

v1.c7.530

Ānanda or Aṭṭhatta Sutta.—The paribbājaka Vacchagotta visits the Buddha and asks him if there is a self. The Buddha makes no reply even when the question is repeated, and Vacchagotta goes away. The Buddha, later, explains to Ānanda, in reply to his inquiry, that he remained silent because whatever answer he gave to Vacchagotta’s question, it would be capable of being misunderstood and misinterpreted.¹