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Sharma - Rune E. A. Johansson's Analysis of Citta (2018)

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In his critique of Rune E. A. Johansson's analysis, Arvind Sharma examines and refutes the theory that *citta* (mind) exists as a core personality factor separate from the five *skandhas* and survives death. Johansson argues that *citta* is an enduring element, distinct from *viññāna* (consciousness), which attains *nibbāna* and continues in a diluted, impersonal state after an *arahant's* death, citing as evidence the ability of *arahants* to recognize one another and scriptural accounts like the story of Vakkali. Sharma contends that this evidence is insufficient to challenge the standard Theravāda position that an *arahant's* post-mortem state is unpredictable. He counters that Johansson relies on a weak "argument from silence" and offers an alternative interpretation wherein an *arahant's* enlightenment is recognized precisely through the *non-recognizability* of their consciousness, rather than through an identifiable, surviving *citta*.

14. Sāriputtamoggallānapabbajjākathā (The Account of the Pabbajjā (Going Forth) of Sāriputta and Moggallāna)

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Sāriputta and Moggallāna, disciples of the wanderer Sañcaya, had agreed to inform each other if one attained `amata` (deathless). Sāriputta, impressed by the venerable Assaji's demeanor, learned from him the core teaching: phenomena arise from a cause, and the Buddha (Tathāgata) teaches their cause and cessation. This insight led both Sāriputta and Moggallāna to attain the `dhammacakkhu` (insight into the Dhamma). Consequently, they and 250 followers left Sañcaya to join the Buddha, who recognized them as his future chief disciples and ordained them.