»52 ACCOUNT OF 



When a man dies, they burn the corpse, and throw 

 the ashes into water ; the rich cast the ashes into 

 rivers. They never perform other obsequies, as their 

 law says, " the spirit is separate or distinct from the 

 body, which is composed of five elements ; when, 

 therefore, the corpse is burnt, the several parts which 

 composed it, return to their former state : conse- 

 quently, to the deceased, no ceremony is due." After 

 death, as nothing of him remains, therefore they 

 omit to perform the monthly and annual ceremonies, 

 which other Hindus observe on this occasion ; and 

 they give these reasons in vindication, " A man 

 should feed himself with the best food, while he 

 lives in this world, as his body never returns after it 

 is burnt." 



They further say, that the foolish people of other 

 tribes, being deficient in sacred knowledge, spend 

 money in vain, on account of deceased relations : 

 for hov/ can a dead man feel satisfaction in ceremo- 

 nies, and in the feeding of others? ''even a lamp 

 no longer gives light by pouring more oil into it, 

 after its flame is once extinguished." Therefore it is 

 vain to make feasts and ceremonies for the dead ; 

 and, if it be wished to please relations, it is best to 

 do so while they are yet living, " what a man drink- 

 eth, giveth, and eateth in this world, is of advan- 

 tage to him, but be carrieth nothing with him at his 

 end." 



" A man of sense should believe only what he 

 secth with his own eyes ; and should never beheve 

 what he heareth from others." The Jains do not 

 (like the followers of the VSdas) believe, that this 

 world exists by the supreme power of God ; for they 

 say, that the world is eternal, and that its changes 

 are natural. They deny, that the world is wholly 

 subject to destruction, for all things are born by the 

 power of nature ; God only is exempt from Carman 

 or the frailties and inconveniencies of nature. 



