Death

1. I heard thus. At one time the Blessed One was living in the monastery offered by Anāthapiṇḍika in Jeta's grove in Sāvatthi.

2. Then venerable Rādha approached the Blessed One, worshipped, and sat on a side.

3. Sitting, venerable Rādha said to the Blessed One: “Venerable sir, it is said, `Death.' What is death?”

4. “Rādha, when conscious of matter there is death, assassination, and giving up breathing. Therefore, Rādha, know matter as death, assassination, and giving up breathing, an ailment, a boil, an arrow, pain, and a source of pain. They that know it thus, know it correctly.

5-7. “Rādha, when conscious of feelings, perceptions, or intentions, there is death, assassination, and giving up breathing. Therefore Rādha, know feelings, perceptions, and intentions as death, assassination, giving up breathing, an ailment, a boil, an arrow, pain, and a source of pain. They that know it thus, know it correctly.

8. Rādha, with consciousness there is death, assassination, and giving up breathing. Therefore Rādha, know consciousness as death, assassination, giving up breathing, an ailment, a boil, an arrow, pain, and a source of pain. They that know it thus, know it correctly.”

9. “Venerable sir, for what purpose is correct knowledge?”

“Rādha, it is for turning.”

10. “Venerable sir, for what purpose is turning?”

“Rādha, it is for loosing interest.”

11. “Venerable sir, for what purpose is loosing interest?”

“Rādha, it is for release.”

12. “Venerable sir, for what purpose is release?”

“Rādha, it is for extinction.”

13. “Venerable sir, for what purpose is extinction?”

“Rādha, it is not possible to answer that question. Extinction is the final end. The holy life is lived to reach extinction and it is the end.”