19.5 Of “Thusness”

Controverted Point: That the fundamental characteristics of all things (sabba-dhamma) are unconditioned.

Theravādin: Do you then identify those fundamental characteristics or “thusness” with Nibbāna, the Shelter … the Goal, the Past-deceased, the Ambrosial? Or are there two “unconditioneds”? You deny both alternatives but you must assent to one or the other. If to the latter, I ask, are there two kinds of Shelters and so on? And is there a boundary or … interstice between them?

Again, assuming a materiality (rūpatā) of matter or body, is not materiality unconditioned? You assent. Then I raise the same difficulties as before.

I raise them, too, if you admit a “hedonality” of feeling, a “perceivability” of perception, a saṅkhāratā or co-efficiency of mental coefficients, a consciousness of being conscious. If all these be unconditioned, are there then six categories of “unconditioneds”?

Uttarāpathaka: But if I am wrong, is the “thusness” of all things the five aggregates taken together?

Theravādin: Yes.

Uttarāpathaka: Then that “thusness” of all things is unconditioned.