9 - Real Designation is Undesignate

Subhūti, what do you think? Does a disciple who has entered the stream of the holy life say within himself, "I obtain the fruit of a stream entrant?"

Subhūti said: No, World-Honored One. Wherefore? Because "stream entrant" is merely a name. There is no stream entering. The disciple who pays no regard to form, sound, odor, taste, touch, or any quality is called a stream entrant.

Subhūti, what do you think? Does an adept who is subject to only one more rebirth say within himself, "I obtain the fruit of a once-to-be-reborn?"

Subhūti said: No, World-Honored One. Wherefore? Because "once-to-be-reborn" is merely a name. There is no passing away nor coming into existence. [The adept who realizes] this is called "once-to-be-reborn."

Subhūti, what do you think? Does a venerable one who will never more be reborn as a mortal say within himself, "I obtain the fruit of a non-returner?"

Subhūti said: No, world-Honored One. Wherefore? Because "non-returner" is merely a name. There is no non-returning; hence the designation "non-returner."

Subhūti, what do you think? Does a holy one say within himself, "I have obtained perfective enlightenment?"

Subhūti said: No, World-Honored One. Wherefore? Because there is no such condition as that called "perfective enlightenment." World-Honored One, if a holy one of perfective enlightenment said to himself, "Such am I, " he would necessarily partake of the idea of an ego entity, a personality, a being, or a separated individuality. World-Honored One, when the Buddha declares that I excel among holy men in the yoga of perfect quiescence, in dwelling in seclusion, and in freedom from passions, I do not say within myself, "I am a holy one of perfective enlightenment, free from passions." World-Honored One, if I said within myself "Such am I, " you would not declare, "Subhūti finished happiness abiding in peace, in seclusion in the midst of the forest." This is because Subhūti abides nowhere: therefore he is called "Subhūti, Joyful Abider in Peace, Dweller in Seclusion in the Forest."