“But sir, what’s the purpose of seeing rightly?” “Disillusionment is the purpose of seeing rightly.” “But what’s the purpose of disillusionment?” “Dispassion is the purpose of disillusionment.” “But what’s the purpose of dispassion?” “Freedom is the purpose of dispassion.” “But what’s the purpose of freedom?” “Extinguishment is the purpose of freedom.” “But sir, what is the purpose of extinguishment?” “Your question goes too far, Rādha. You weren’t able to grasp the limit of questioning. For extinguishment is the objective, destination, and culmination of the spiritual life.”

Linked Discourses 23.2 1. About Māra Sentient Beings

At Sāvatthī. Seated to one side, Venerable Rādha said to the Buddha: “Sir, they speak of this thing called a ‘sentient being’. How is a sentient being defined?” “Rādha, when you cling, strongly cling, to desire, greed, relishing, and craving for form, then a being is spoken of. When you cling, strongly cling, to desire, greed, relishing, and craving for feeling … perception … choices … consciousness, then a being is spoken of.