—  948  — 
present  existence  though  they  were  committed  in  a  previous  birth,  i.  e.  such 
former  actions  the  result  of  which  has  to  be  experienced  in  a  future 
existence). 5i 
[§  17.  Gradual  extinction  of  all  elements  of  life]. 
108.  ь.  3.  Now,  among  the  elements  appearing  in  an  existence  some  have  the 
character  of  retribution  for  previous  deeds.  After  having  produced  such 
retribution  the  force  of  these  former  deeds  vanishes,  (and  produces  no  further 
result).  Other  elements  again  have  the  character  of  homogeneous  results, 
being  brought  forth  by  the  force  of  homogeneousness  inherent  in  former 
deeds.  These  latter  elements,  if  they  are  associated  with  worldly  attachment, 
continue  to  reappear  until  an  antidote  for  them  is  produced  (in  the  shape  of 
transcendent  Wisdom).  After  that  such  elements  only  remain  which  are  free 
from  worldly  attachment,  (which  constitute  the  perfect  Saint).  They  also 
cease  to  appear  for  ever  after  Final  Rescue  has  been  reached  at,  (since  then 
the  continuity  of  elements  of  matter  and  mind  ceases  for  ever). 
108.  b.  5.  Yaigesika.  But  the  elements  which  have  been  produced  as  a  retribution 
for  former  deeds,  why  do  they  not  produce  retribution  in  their  turn,  just 
as  some  corn  produced  from  a  seed  has  the  capacity  of  producing  new  corn? 
Vasubandlm.  The  example  may  not  fit  in  every  detail.  But  even  suppo- 
sing it  to  be  fitting,  does  it  prove  your  tenet  ?  Is  the  new  corn  produced  from 
the  old  corn  directly? 
Vaigesika.  From  what  then? 
Vasiibandhi.  The  new  corn  is  produced  by  a  new  special  process  of 
maturation.  When  the  corn  produced  from  the  (first)  seed  combines  with 
such  conditions  as  soil,  moisture  etc.,  a  special  process  of  maturation  is  pro- 
duced. Strictly  speaking  this  corn  may  be  called  seed  only  after  having 
reached  the  state  of  decomposition  which  immediately  precedes  the  production 
of  the  sprout.  Previously  to  that  it  may  be  so  called  only  by  anticipation 
(because  it  may  become  a  seed),  or  owing  to  its  similarity  (with  a  real  seed). 
What  produces  the  result  is  not  the  corn  by  itself,  but  the  »special  modifi- 
cation)) it  has  reached  under  favourable  conditions.  Thus  interpreted  the 
simile  may  be  applied  to  the  Elements  of  life,  which  have  been  produced  as 
a  retribution  for  former  deeds.  All  though  they  by  themselves  have  no  force 
of  producing  any  further  result,  they  might  become  associated  with  such 
conditions  as  are  able  to  produce  good  or  bad  results,  f.  i.  a  study  of  the 
right  doctrine  or  a  study  of  a  false  doctrine.  In  that  case  the  result  might 
