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BUDDHISM. 



and another birth, as the palmyra cut off at the roots has no 

 future existence nor future birth. This is the rule, O Brahman, 

 &nd by that rule it may well be said, that the Samano Gotamo 

 is excluded from birth ; but not on the account of which you 

 speak. 



O Brahman, as the hen when sitting on 8, 10 or 12 eggs, 

 having warmed them and turned them, the one from her brood 

 who first either with his bill or claws breaking the shell comes 

 with health out of it, — what do you call him ? The elder or 

 the younger? O virtuous Gotamo, it is proper to call him the 

 eldest ; he is the eldest. 



In the same manner, O Brahman, I, having split the shell 

 of ignorance connected with the received shell of folly and ex- 

 istence, am alone in this world the incomparable, the true, the 

 omniscient and illustrious Buddha. That I, O Brahman, am 

 supreme and chief of the world. .By me, O Brahman, was 

 begun untiring effort, durable, fixed, and unerring memory, a 

 subjugated body in which lust was conquered, and a peaceful 

 heart having only one object (in view). That I, O Brahman, 

 arrived and dwelt in the First Jhana, (1,) having become 

 exempt from desire, and a sinning nature, (with which Jhana 

 is connected) reason, investigation, and the pleasure of isola- 

 tion. And having surmounted reason and investigation, I 

 arrived at and dwelt in the Second Jhana, connected with 

 clearness of intellect, mental effulgence, the relinquishment of 

 reason and investigation, and the joy and pleasure arising from 

 mental tranquillity. Having subjugated joy, I arrived at and 

 dwelt in the medium state — possessed memory, fixity of mind, 

 and bodily ease, and that which the Rahats call the delightful 



(1.) Jhana. — A state of knowledge. There are four Jhanas, the 

 nature of which both in Brahraanism and Buddhism is very similar, — 

 See Wilson, D hay ana. 



