Gautama Buddha had a young pupil whose name was Marnkyaptra. He was argumentative by nature. He questioned Buddha in this way.
Is there an end in this world or is there nothing? Does the soul (spirit) exist or not? Does the next world exist or not?
Our distress is not relieved if we know whether the world has an end or there is nothing after death. I explain the teaching which conquers our distress in our present life. Such a thing will not matter if you reach enlightenment.
A Poisoned Arrow
A Dharma Talk by Sensei Imanaka
We do not know what will happen in our life, and there are many times when the outcome is not what we expect. Have we not averted our eyes from problems, which should be solved, because we have been busy doing other things?
Buddha replied to this with silence. The pupil was dissatisfied when Buddha did not reply to questions. And he said to Buddha. If Buddha knows the answer to these questions, Buddha should answer he knows. If Buddha doesn’t know the answer to these questions, Buddha should answer that he doesn’t know. I will practice according to the answer.Buddha answered like this.
Suppose that a certain person was shot by a poisoned arrow. Probably, that person will have to be treated immediately.
However, but what at happens if we ask the person these questions before we take them to a doctor? Some questions like:
Who was the person who shot the arrow? How tall is he? Where does he live? With what kind of bow did he shoot?
The person will die, if only such questions as these are pursued.
Similarly it does not help your distress if I respond by asking you such questions. Is it not right to say that one should train by simply following one answer.
Our distress is not relieved if we know whether the world has an end or there is nothing after death. I explain the teaching which conquers our distress in our present life. Such a thing will not matter if you reach enlightenment.
We do not know what will happen in our life, and there are many times when the outcome is not what we expect. Have we not averted our eyes from problems, which should be solved, because we have been busy doing other things? Supposing that this is true, please summon your courage to fight against these problems. Buddha certainly helps such a person who acts by this courage.