The History of Buddhist Thought c14.8

c14.8

The fourth sage was Pakudha Kaccāyana, who explained that there were seven indestructible bodies: earth, water, fire, air, happiness, pain, and life or soul. There is no slayer or causer of slaying, no hearer, knower or causer of knowing. One who splits a head with a sword does not kill anyone. He merely makes a hole with a sword between the seven indestructible bodies. The next sage was Nigaṇṭha Nātaputta, the Jain, who explained his fourfold vow, but as it is agreed that both text and commentator misunderstand it, it need not be discussed. The last was Sañjaya Belaṭṭhiputta, who refused to make a positive or negative statement on the above points or on any others.