The article examines one of the early buddhist texts, found both in pali and in chinese,presenting a doctrine which is a basic postulate of modern empiricism. it refers to the views of modern scholars on the nature of early buddhism,especially of those who saw modernistic trends in early buddhist thought. pali and chinese versions of the test are presented together with english translations. auguste comte,h.h. price,janussoni,hinayana buddhism,empiricism,etc.,are some of the significant proper names mentioned. the importance of the text as a direct statement of the empiricist ideas has been emphasised.