The Questions of Mogharāja (SNP5.16)

Anthology of Discourses 5.16

The Questions of Mogharāja

“Twice I have asked the Sakyan,”

said Venerable Mogharāja,

“but you haven’t answered me, O Clear-eyed One.

I have heard that the divine seer

answers when questioned a third time.

Regarding this world, the other world,

and the realm of divinity with its gods,

I’m not familiar with the view

of the renowned Gotama.

So I have come seeking with a question

for the one of excellent vision.

How to look upon the world

so the King of Death won’t see you?”

“Look upon the world as empty,

Mogharāja, ever mindful.

Having uprooted the theory of self,

you may thus cross over death.

That’s how to look upon the world

so the King of Death won’t see you.”