Chap. XI.] BEAHMAIS^ISM AXD BUDDHISM COMPAEED. 529 



absolute subjugation of passion, and tlie unerring accuracy 

 of bis unlimited knowledge, became entitled to tlie liomage 

 of all, and Avas required to render it to none. 



Externally coinciding with Hinduism, so far as the 

 avatar of Buddha may be regarded as a pendant for 

 the incarnation of Brahma, the worship of the former 

 is essentially distinguished from the rehgion of the latter 

 in one important particular. It does not regard Bud- 

 dha as an actual emanation or manifestation of the 

 di\diiity, but as a guide and example to teach an en- 

 thusiastic self-rehance by means of which manldnd, of 

 themselves and by their own unassisted exertions, are to 

 attain to perfect vktue here and to supreme happiness 

 hereafter. Both systems inculcate the mysterious doc- 

 trine of the metempsychosis ; but whilst the residt of suc- 

 cessive embodiments is to bring the soul of the Hindu 

 nearer and nearer to the final beatitude of absorption into 

 the essence of Brahma, the end and aim of the Budd- 

 histical transmigiation is to lead the purified spuit to 

 Nincana ^, a condition between which and utter anni- 

 liilation there exists but the dim distinction of a name. 

 Nirwana is the exhaustion but not the destruction of 

 existence, the close but not the extinction of being. 



In clehberate consistency with this principle of human 

 elevation, the doctrines of Buddha recognise the fuU 

 ehgibihty of every individual born into the world for the 

 attainment of the highest degrees of intellectual perfection 

 and ultimate bliss ; and herein consists its most striking 

 departure from the Brahmanical system in denying the 

 superiority of the " twice born " over the rest of 

 mankind ; in repudiating a sacerdotal supremacy of race, 

 and in claiming for the pure and the wise that supremacy 

 and exaltation which the self-glorified Brahmans would 

 monopolise for themselves. 



* '' Nirwana " is Sansln-it, ni (r I derivedfrom newanawa, to extinguish, 

 eiiplion. causa) 7V(ma desire. The See J. Baethelemy Saint-IIilaike, 

 Singhalese name "Nii-wana" is also I Le Bonddha, 133^ 177, &:c. 



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