34b: The 18th Rains Retreat (Delaying) – 1142 

 

Those people, who did not understand the significance, reproached her, saying: 
“Behold this girl, friends! In her conversation with the Buddha she spoke at 
random, she spoke just nonsense. When asked: ‘Where did you come from?’ she 
should have answered: ‘I came from the weaver’s home,’ when asked: ‘Where 
are you going?’ she should have answered: ‘To the weaver’s work-shop.’ ” 

The Buddha, after silencing the people, asked the girl: “Young lady, when I 
asked you: ‘Where did you come from?’ Why did you say you do not know?” 

Then the girl answered: “Exalted Buddha, you knew, of course, that I came from 
the weaver’s home. Indeed, by: ‘Where did you come from?’ You meant to say 
from which existence did I come to this weaver’s daughter’s existence. I do not 
know from which existence I came, hence my answer: I do not know.” 

The Buddha then expressed his appreciation for the first time, saying, “Well said, 
well said! Young lady you have answered the question raised by me.” 

He asked another question: “Young lady, when I asked you: ‘Where are you 
going?’ Why did you say you did not know?” 

The girl answered: “Exalted Buddha, you knew, of course, that I am going to the 
weaver’s work-shop with the woof basket in my hand. Indeed, by asking: ‘Where 
are you going?’ You meant to say, to which existence I was going after this 
human existence. To which existence I am going I do not know. Hence my 
answer: ‘I do not know.’ ” 

The Buddha then expressed his appreciation for the second time, saying: “You 
have answered the question raised by me.” 

He asked still another question: “Young lady, when I asked you: ‘Do you not 
know?’ Why did you say you did?” 

The girl answered: “Exalted Buddha, I know I am bound to die. Hence my 
answer: I know.” 

The Buddha then expressed his appreciation for the third time, saying: “You 
have answered the question raised by me.” 

He asked still another question: “Even then, young lady, when I asked you: ‘Do 
you know?’ Why did you say you do not?”