5. Question on Arising in Two Places Taking the Same Time (MIL3.7.5)

Milinda’s Questions

Analysis of Formless Dhammas Chapter

5. Question on Arising in Two Places Taking the Same Time

The king said,

“Venerable Nāgasena, for one who having passed away is reborn in the Brahma world, and for one who having passed away is reborn in Kashmir, which one takes the longer time, and which the shorter?”

“They are the same, your majesty.”

“Give me an analogy.”

“Where then, your majesty, is your town of birth?”

“There is a place called Kalasigāma, there I was born.”

“How far away, your majesty, is Kalasigāma from here?”

“About two hundred yojanas, venerable sir.”

“How far away, your majesty, is Kashmir from here?”

“Twelve yojanas, venerable sir.”

“Go on then, your majesty, think about Kalasigāma.”

“I have thought about it, venerable sir.”

“Go on then, your majesty, think about Kashmir.”

“I have thought about it, venerable sir.”

“Which thinking took a long time, your majesty, and which a short time?”

“They are the same, your majesty.”

“Just so, your majesty, for one who having passed away is reborn in the Brahma world, and for one who having passed away is reborn in Kashmir, they happen in the same time.”

“Give me another analogy.”

“What do you think, your majesty, if two birds fly in the sky and one sits in a high tree, and the other in a low tree, if these happen at the same time, the shadow of which one would settle on the ground first, and which one later?”

“At the same time, venerable sir.”

“Just so, your majesty, for one who having passed away is reborn in the Brahma world, and for one who having passed away is reborn in Kashmir, they happen in the same time.”

“You are clever, Venerable Nāgasena!”

Question on Arising in Two Places Taking the Same Time fifth