The Religions of India c19.107

c19.107

We turn from the Discipline to the Sermons. Here one finds everything, from moral exhortations to a book of Revelations.² Buddha sometimes is represented as entering upon a dramatic dialogue with those whom he wishes to reform, and the talk is narrated. With what soft irony he questions, with what apparent simplicity he argues! In the Tevijja³ the scene opens with a young Brahman. He is a pious and religious youth, and tells Buddha that although he yearns for ‘union with Brahmā,’¹ he does not know which of the different paths proposed by Brahman priests lead to Brahmā. Do they all lead to union with Brahmā? Buddha answers: ‘Let us see; has any one of these Brahmans ever seen Brahmā?’ ‘No, indeed, Gautama.’ ‘Or did any one of their ancestors ever see Brahmā?’ ‘No, Gautama.’ ‘Well, did the most ancient seers ever say that they knew where is Brahmā?’ ‘No, Gautama.’ ‘Then if neither the present Brahmans know, nor the old Brahmans knew where is Brahmā, the present Brahmans say in point of fact, “We can show the way to union with what we know not and have never seen; this is the straight path, this is the direct way which leads to Brahmā”—and is this foolish talk?’ ‘It is foolish talk.’ ‘Then, as to yearning for union with Brahmā, suppose a man should say, “How I long for, how I love the most beautiful woman in this land,” and the people should ask, “Do you know whether that beautiful woman is a noble lady, or a Brahman woman, or of the trader class, or a slave?” and he should say, “No”; and the people should say, “What is her name, is she tall or short, in what place does she live?” and he should say, “I know not,” and the people should say, “Whom you know not, neither have seen, her you love and long for?” and he should say, “Yes,”—would not that be foolish?’ Then, after this is assented to, Buddha suggests another parallel. ‘A man builds a staircase, and the people ask, “Do you know where is the mansion to which this staircase leads?” “I do not know.” “Are you making a staircase to lead to something, taking it for a mansion, which you know not and have never seen?” “Yes.” Would not this be foolish talk? . . . Now what think you, is Brahmā in possession of wives and wealth?’ ‘He is not.’