“This being the case, worthy Ānanda, the path is endless, not finite. For it’s not possible to give up desire by means of desire.” “Well then, brahmin, I’ll ask you about this in return, and you can answer as you like. What do you think, brahmin? Have you ever had a desire to walk to the park, but when you arrived at the park, the corresponding desire faded away?” “Yes, sir.” “Have you ever had the energy to walk to the park, but when you arrived at the park, the corresponding energy faded away?” “Yes, sir.” “Have you ever had the idea to walk to the park, but when you arrived at the park, the corresponding idea faded away?” “Yes, sir.” “Have you ever inquired regarding a walk to the park, but when you arrived at the park, the corresponding inquiry faded away?” “Yes, sir.”

“In the same way, take a mendicant who is perfected—with defilements ended, who has completed the spiritual journey, done what had to be done, laid down the burden, achieved their heart’s goal, utterly ended the fetter of continued existence, and is rightly freed through enlightenment. They formerly had the desire to attain perfection, but when they attained perfection the corresponding desire faded away. They formerly had the energy to attain perfection, but when they attained perfection the corresponding energy faded away. They formerly had the idea to attain perfection, but when they attained perfection the corresponding idea faded away. They formerly inquired regarding attaining perfection, but when they attained perfection the corresponding inquiry faded away. What do you think, brahmin? This being the case, is the path endless or finite?”