8.11 Of a Result of Karma

Controverted Point: That because of karma an Arahant may fall away from Arahantship.

Theravādin: How can you affirm this without also affirming—which you will not—that those in the three lower stages of fruition may fall away from their fruit?

And your claim is that he may fall away, not because of such karma, or prior action, as murder, theft, fornication, evil speech, matricide, parricide, Arahanticide, wounding a Buddha, or schism-making, but because of having calumniated Arahants. You affirm he may fall away because of having calumniated Arahants, but you deny that everyone who calumniates Arahants realizes Arahantship. Therefore your proposition that falling is due to calumniation is absurd.