The History of Buddhist Thought c18.13

c18.13

The counterpart of full knowledge is release, and the counterpart of release is nibbāna, Nirvāṇa. This is said to have been the answer given by the nun Dhammadinnā to the layman Visākha (Majjh., i, 304). When he asked what was the counterpart to Nirvāṇa, she said, “ you push your questions too far, Visākha. The religious life is plunged in Nirvāṇa, its aim is Nirvāṇa, its end is Nirvāṇa. If you wish, go and ask the Lord, and as he explains it, thus bear it in mind.” The layman did so, and the Lord replied, “ the nun Dhammadinnā is learned, she is of great wisdom. If you had asked me the question, I should have explained it as she did. That, indeed, is the answer. Thus bear it in mind.”