CHAP. XI.] BRAHMANISM AND BUDDHISM COMPARED. 529 



absolute subjugation of passion, and the unerring accuracy 

 of his unlimited knowledge, became entitled to the homage 

 of all, and was 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 religion of the latter 

 in one important particular. It does not regard Bud- 

 dha as an actual emanation or manifestation of the 

 divinity, but as a guide and exampfe to teach an en- 

 thusiastic self-reliance by means of which mankind, of 

 themselves and by their own unassisted exertions, may 

 attain to perfect virtue here and to supreme happiness 

 hereafter. Both systems inculcate the mysterious doc- 

 trine of the metempsychosis ; but whilst the result 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 Bud- 

 dhistical transmigration is to lead the purified spirit to 

 Nirwana 1 , a condition between which and utter anni- 

 hilation 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 deliberate consistency with this principle of human 

 elevation, the doctrines of Buddha recognise the full 

 eligibility of every individual born into the world for the 

 attainment of the highest degrees of inteUectual perfection 

 and ultimate bliss. 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. 



Hence the supremacy of " caste " is utterly disclaimed 



1 "Nirwana" is . Sanskrit, ni (r \ derived from newanawa, to extinguish, 

 euphon. causa) wana desire. The See J. BARTHELEMY SAINT-HILAIKE, 

 Singhalese name " Ninvana " is also I Le Bouddha, 133, 177, &c. 



VOL. I. M M 



