The Hindu Temple v1.c7.s2.31

v1.c7.s2.31

The inherent quality, the subtle nature, of bamboo for instance, is thus restituted by giving it a permanency which its physical nature could not guarantee. This is done by art. This permanence, in art, is a quality of the form and belongs to memory. The transfer of form from the one more perishable, to the other, less perishable substance is a restitution of the 'subtle' body, of the original clay or wood. Though all things made of clay or wood might perish including clay and wood themselves their subtle nature is expressed in stone. It is the way of redemption, a relative guarantee of immortality which things constructed are able to give.