2.50. Whereabouts of Karma (T1670B2.50)

The king asked Nāgasena, “Could anyone point out where these good and bad deeds are?”

Nāgasena replied, “No one can point out where these good and bad deeds are.”

Then Nāgasena asked the king, “Is it possible to point out which branch will bear fruit when the fruit tree has not yet borne fruit? Could anyone foretell it?”

“Certainly not,” the king said.

“So, a person who has not yet attained the Path cannot foretell where the good and bad deeds are.”

“Excellent, Nāgasena.”

Nāgasena Bhikṣu Sūtra, translated by Venerable Guang Xing. Buddha’s Light Edition English Sutra Translation Series, 2008. This publication is part of translation program of the Woodenfish Project.

The full text, with detailed notes, textual and historical discussion, and comparison between Pali and Chinese texts, is available for download in two separate files, Translation and Notes.

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Used with kind permission of Buddha’s Light Publishing.

This SuttaCentral edition was prepared by Bhikkhu Sujato.

Prepared for SuttaCentral by Bhikkhu Sujato.