Thus I have heard: One time, the Buddha traveled to the country of Śrāvastī and stayed at Anāthapiṇḍada’s Park in Jeta’s Grove.
It was then that the priest Agrahana went for a walkabout in the afternoon. He paid the Buddha a visit, exchanging greetings with him and withdrawing to sit at one side. He said, “Gautama, I have a question I would like to ask if you would permit me.”
The Bhagavān told him, “You may ask your question.”
The priest asked, “Gautama, what is the basis of the priestly scriptures?”
The Bhagavān replied, “The basis of the priestly scriptures is humanity.”
The priest also asked, “Gautama, what is the basis of humanity?”
The Bhagavān replied, “The basis of humanity is grain.”
The priest again asked, “Gautama, what is the basis of grain?”
The Bhagavān replied, “The basis of grain is the earth.”
The priest again asked, “Gautama, what is the basis of the earth?”
The Bhagavān replied, “The basis of the earth is water.”
The priest again asked, “Gautama, what is the basis of water?”
The Bhagavān replied, “The basis of water is air.”
The priest again asked, “Gautama, what is the basis of air?”
The Bhagavān replied, “The basis of air is space.”
The priest again asked, “Gautama, what is the basis of space?”
The Bhagavān replied, “Space has no basis. It’s only because of the sun and moon that there is space.”
The priest again asked, “Gautama, what is the basis of the sun and moon?”
The Bhagavān replied, “The basis of the sun and moon is the Heaven of the Four Kings.”
The priest again asked, “Gautama, what is the basis of the Heaven of the Four Kings?”
The Bhagavān replied, “The basis of the Heaven of the Four Kings is the Trayastriṃśa Heaven.”
The priest again asked, “Gautama, what is the basis of the Trayastriṃśa Heaven?”
The Bhagavān replied, “The basis of the Trayastriṃśa Heaven is the Yama Heaven.”
The priest again asked, “Gautama, what is the basis of the Yama Heaven?”
The Bhagavān replied, “The basis of the Yama Heaven is the Tuṣita Heaven.”
The priest again asked, “Gautama, what is the basis of the Tuṣita Heaven?”
The Bhagavān replied, “The basis of the Tuṣita Heaven is the Nirmāṇarati Heaven.”
The priest again asked, “Gautama, what is the basis of the Nirmāṇarati Heaven?”
The Bhagavān replied, “The basis of the Nirmāṇarati Heaven is the Paranirmāṇarati Heaven.”
The priest again asked, “Gautama, what is the basis of the Paranirmāṇarati Heaven?”
The Bhagavān replied, “The basis of the Paranirmāṇarati Heaven is the Brahma world.”
The priest again asked, “Gautama, what is the basis of the Brahma world?”
The Bhagavān replied, “The basis of the Brahma world is Mahābrahmā.”
The priest again asked, “Gautama, what is the basis of Mahābrahmā?”
The Bhagavān replied, “The basis of Mahābrahmā is patience and gentleness.”
The priest again asked, “Gautama, what is the basis of patience and gentleness?”
The Bhagavān replied, “The basis of patience and gentleness is nirvāṇa.”
The priest again asked, “Gautama, what is the basis of nirvāṇa?”
The Bhagavān replied, “Priest, you want the basis of something that’s endless. Now, you could put limitless questions to me about it, but nirvāṇa has no basis. It’s only nirvāṇa that completely extinguishes [a person]. Nirvāṇa is the highest. Priest, the religious life is practiced under me for this goal.”
The priest again asked, “I know, Bhagavān! I understand, Sugata! Bhagavān, I now devote myself to the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Saṅgha of monks. Please, Bhagavān, accept me as a layman. Starting today, I will devote myself to them for the rest of my life.”
This is what the Buddha said. When the priest Agrahana heard what the Buddha taught, he rejoiced and approved.