Analysis of the Undeclared Questions (primarily) based on the Poá¹­á¹­hapādasutta

Abstract

Sets of "undeclared questions" is frequent topic of discussion that appears in the sutta-s of Theravada Canon. These questions were posed mostly by ascetics and brahmins of various sects to the Buddha, who wanted the Buddha's insight on these matters. Every major religious teacher of that time had different answers to these questions, consequently puzzling the mind of many followers. Usually, it is stated in the sutta-s that the Buddha refrained from engaging in the discussion of these topics. However, closer examination of the Dhamma will reveal that the Buddha in truth had given an analytical answer at different places in the sutta-s and also had given reasons as to why such questions were unanswerable directly. This has a direct correlation to the problem of mainstream linguistic terminology that differed from the "Buddhist concept of reality". Therefore, in this paper, a case has been made as to why such questions are flawed and do not find logical ground in the "Buddhist concept of world and reality". Furthermore, anattempt has been made to give an analytical answer to such questions.