Points of Controversy

2.6. Of inducing Insight by saying “Sorrow!”

Controverted Point: That induction of insight by the word sorrow!” is a factor of and included in the Path.

Theravādin: Then you must also affirm that all who utter that word are practising the Path, which is absurd.

Or if you do affirm this, notwithstanding, then you must also affirm that the average foolish person, in uttering that word, is practising the Path, and, again, that matricides, parricides, murderers of Arahants, those that shed blood of Buddhas, those that cause schism in the Saṅgha, in uttering the word “sorrow!” are practising the Path, which is absurd.