Извѣетія  Рооеійекой  Академіи  Наукъ.  1919. 
(Bulletin  de  l'Acadömie  des  Sciences  de  Russie). 
The  Soul  theory  of  the  Buddhists. 
By  Th.  Stclierbatsky  (Seerbatskoj). 
(Presented  to  the  Academy  G  November  1918). 
[§  14.  Is  there  any  cognising  agent?]. 
Vatsiputnya.  There  are  others  who  argue  as  follows :  (a  Soul  must  104.  b.  5 
exist),  because  wherever  there  is  an  activity  it  depends  on  an  agent.  Every  (8b"~8)- 
action  depends  on  an  agent  as,  f.  i.  in  the  example  «Devadatta  walks»  there 
is  an  action  of  walking  which  depends  on  Devadatta  the  agent.  To  be  con- 
scious is  likewise  an  action,  hence  the  agent  who  cognises  must  also  exist49. 
VasubandJm.  It  must  be  explained  what  this  Devadatta  is. 
Vatsiputnya.  It  is  an  Ego. 
Vasubandhu.  That  is  begging  the  question ! 
Vatsiputnya.  It  is  what  in  common  life  we  call  a  mau. 
Vasubandhu.  This  does  not  represent  any  unity  whatsoever.  It  is  a 
name  given  to  such  elements  (of  which  a  man  is  composed).  The  elements  are 
meant  when  we  say  «Devadatta  walks»."  When  we  say  that  ((consciousness 
cognises»,  it  is  just  the  same. 
Vatsiputnya.  And  what  is  the  meaning  of  the  expression  «Devadatta 
walks»,  (if  there  is  no  individuality  whatsoever)? 
Vasubandhu.  It  is  an  unbroken  continuity  of  momentary  forces  (flashing 
into  existence),  which  simple  people  believe  to  be  a  unity,  and  to  which  they 
give  the  name  of  Devadatta.  Their  belief  that  Devedatta  moves  is  conditioned 
(by  an  analogy  with  their  own  experience,  because)  their  own  continuity  of 
life  consists  in  constantly  moving  from  one  place  to  an  other.  But  this  move- 
ment is  but  a  (series  of  new)  productions  in  different  places,  just  as  the 
expressions  «fire  moves»,  «sound  spreads»  have  the  meaning  of  continuities 
(of  new  productions  in  new  places).  They  likewise  use  the  words  «Devadatta 
ІЬсѣстіа  P.  A.  H.  1919.  —  937  — 
