The Central Conception of Buddhism and the Meaning of the Word "Dharma" c19.s2.21

c19.s2.21

*Vaibhāṣika.*—But, then, how are we to understand the words of our Sublime Lord when addressing the Lāguḍacikhīyaka wandering ascetics (the bearers of a tress on the head and a stick in the hand)? Why did he declare: “a deed (which requires immediate retribution) is past, is accomplished, is finished, is gone, has disappeared, but, nevertheless, it does exist.” What did these ascetics really deny? Not that the accomplished deed was past, (but that it could have some actual existence, i.e. some efficiency. Hence the words of Buddha imply an actual existence of the past).