Karma and not-self
Kammaphalaatthibhāvapañha (Mil 3.5 8)
The king said: ‘When deeds are committed, Nāgasena, by one name-and-form, what becomes of those deeds?’
‘The deeds would follow it, O king, like a shadow that never leaves it.’
‘Can any one point out those deeds, saying: “Here are those deeds, or there”?’
‘No.’
‘Give me an illustration.’
‘Now what do you think, O king? Can any one point out the fruits which a tree has not yet produced, saying: “Here they are, or there”?’
‘Certainly not, Sir.’
‘Just so, great king, so long as the continuity of life is not cut off, it is impossible to point out the deeds that are done.’
‘Very good, Nāgasena!’
‘The deeds would follow it, O king, like a shadow that never leaves it.’
‘Can any one point out those deeds, saying: “Here are those deeds, or there”?’
‘No.’
‘Give me an illustration.’
‘Now what do you think, O king? Can any one point out the fruits which a tree has not yet produced, saying: “Here they are, or there”?’
‘Certainly not, Sir.’
‘Just so, great king, so long as the continuity of life is not cut off, it is impossible to point out the deeds that are done.’
‘Very good, Nāgasena!’
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