The Related Suttas Collection 12.47

5. Householders

Jānussoṇi

At Sāvatthī.

Then the brahmin Jānussoṇi went up to the Buddha, and exchanged greetings with him. Seated to one side he said to the Buddha:

“Master Gotama, does all exist?”

“‘All exists’: this is one extreme, brahmin.”

“Then does all not exist?”

“‘All does not exist’: this is the second extreme.

Avoiding these two extremes, the Realized One teaches by the middle way: ‘Ignorance is a condition for functioning patterns.

Functioning patterns are a condition for consciousness. … That is how this entire mass of suffering originates. When ignorance fades away and ceases with nothing left over, functioning patterns cease. When functioning patterns cease, consciousness ceases. … That is how this entire mass of suffering ceases.’”

When he said this, the brahmin Jānussoṇi said to the Buddha, “Excellent, Master Gotama! Excellent! … From this day forth, may Master Gotama remember me as a lay follower who has gone for refuge for life.”