The History of Buddhist Thought c13.10

c13.10

The differences of view as to the interpretation of this Formula turn on two points, whether it describes different stages of each individual who is involved in this mass of pain or whether it has a cosmological significance, and depends upon speculations concerning the origin and passing away of the universe.² In the Dīgha itself it is called “ profound, even in its appearance profound ”, and Ānanda is reproved for saying that it is extremely clear.³ From this it is probable that at an early period there were disputes about its meaning, and that a need was early felt for its interpretation. This is shown still more in the commentarial explanations, and though the very fact that explanation was required prevents us from assuming that they give the primitive sense, they cannot be ignored if we are to decide what the Buddhists meant by it. There can be no doubt about its purpose when it was inserted in the above context. It was there understood as the knowledge of the nature and cause of pain attained by the individual which leads to escape from rebirth.