Buddhist Philosophy in India and Ceylon c21.s2.23

c21.s2.23

The Nirvāṇa or release which is attained differs from that of the Hīnayāna because it rests on the realization of the nothingness and incomprehensibility of all phenomena, while the Śrāvakas are satisfied to know the momentary and painful character of all being. In this release all the impressions (*vāsanās*) which would normally manifest themselves in further thoughts and deeds are wiped out, and the mind ceases to act. This is not death, for there is no rebirth; it is not destruction, for destruction applies only to what is compound (*saṃskṛta*).¹ But how can this illusion cease? The Vijñānavāda, however, much as it denies it, seems to fall into the error charged against it by the Madhyamaka of allowing an unintelligible destruction of a real entity, namely the course of illusioned thought.