Miln 326-328, (E.W. Burlingame trans.) wrote:“Reverend Nagasena, is this region in the East, or in the South, or in the West, or in the North, or above or below or across – this region where Nibbana is located?”
“Great king, the region does not exist, either in the East, or in the South, or in the West, or in the North, or above or below or across, where Nibbana is located.”
“If, Reverend Nagasena, there is no place where Nibbana is located, then there is no Nibbana; and as for those who have realized Nibbana, their realization also is vain. Let me tell you why I think so:
“Reverend Nagasena, just as on earth, a field is the place of origin of crops, a flower is the place of origin of odors, a bush is the place of origin of flowers, a tree is the place of origin of fruits, a mine is the place of origin of jewels, insomuch that whoever desires anything, has but to go to the proper place and get it precisely so, Reverend Nagasena, if Nibbana really exists, it also follows that a place of origin of this Nibbana must be postulated. But since, Reverend Nagasena, there is no place of origin of Nibbana, therefore I say: There is no Nibbana; and as for those who have realized Nibbana: Their realization also is vain.”
“Great king, there is no place where Nibbana is located. Nevertheless,
this Nibbana really exists; and a man, by ordering his walk aright [practising wisely], by diligent mental effort, realizes Nibbana.
“Great king, just as there is such a thing as fire, but no place where it is located – the fact being that a man, by rubbing two sticks together, produces fire – so also, great king, there is such a thing as Nibbana, but no place where it is located – the fact being that a man, by ordering his walk aright [practising wisely], by diligent mental effort, realizes Nibbana...”
“Reverend Nagasena, let it be granted that there is no place where Nibbana is located. But is there a place where a man must stand to order his walk aright [practise wisely], and realize Nibbana?”
“Yes, great king, there is a place where a man must stand to order his walk aright [practise wisely], and realize Nibbana.”
“But what, Reverend Sir, is the place where a man must stand to order his walk aright [practise wisely] and realize Nibbana?”
“Morality, great king, is the place! Abiding steadfast in Morality, putting forth diligent mental effort – whether in the land of the Scythians or in the land of the Greeks, whether in China or in Tartary, whether in Alexandria or in Nikumba, whether in Kasi or in Kosala, whether in Cashmere or in Gandhara, whether on a mountain-top or in the highest heaven – no matter where a man may stand, by ordering his walk aright [practising wisely], he realizes Nibbana.”
“Good, Reverend Nagasena! You have made it plain what Nibbana is, you have made it plain what the realization of Nibbana is, you have well-described the Power of Morality, you have made it plain how a man orders his walk aright [practises wisely], you have uplifted the Banner of Truth, you have set the Eye of Truth in its socket, you have demonstrated that Right Effort on the part of those who put forth diligent effort is not barren. It is just as you say most excellent of excellent teachers! I agree absolutely!”
From:
The Island: An Anthology of the Buddha's Teachings on Nibbana by Ajahn Pasanno and Ajahn Amaro