A Flame That Has Gone Out

"Is there such a person as the Buddha?"

"Yes."

"Can he be pointed out as being here or there?"

"The Blessed One has passed away and nothing remains to form another individual. He cannot be pointed out as being here or there just as the flame of a fire that has gone out cannot be pointed out as being here or there. Yet his historical existence can be known by pointing out the body of the doctrine preached by him."