Dialogues of the Buddha, Part II — trans. T. W. and C. A. F. Rhys Davids (1910)

' Here it is, Master Kassapa. I see Wanderers and Brahmins moral and of virtuous dispositions, fond of life, averse from dying, fond of happiness, shrinking from sorrow. Then I think, Master Kassapa : — " If these good Wanderers and Brahmins were to know this — 'When once we are dead we shall be better off' — then these good men would take poison, or stab themselves, or put an end to themselves by hanging, or throw themselves from precipices. And it is because they do not know that, once dead, they will be better off, that they are fond of life, averse from dying, fond of happiness, disinclined for sorrow. This, Master Kassapa, is for me evidence that there is no other world, no beings reborn otherwise than of parents, no fruit and no result of deeds well and ill-done.'

13. 'Well then, Prince, I will make you a simile, for by way of a simile some wise men discern the meaning of what is spoken. Once upon a time, Prince, there was a brahmin who had two wives. By one he had a son, ten or twelve years of age ; the other was pregnant and near her time. Then the brahmin died. Now the boy said to his mother's co-wife : — ■

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" Whatever treasure there is, lady, or grain, or silver, or gold, all that is mine. [33l] There is nothing here for you whatever ; make over to me, lady, the heritage of my father ! " Then the brahminee made answer to him: — "Wait, my lad, till my child is born. If 'twill be a boy, one portion shall be his ; if a girl, she shall wait on you."

'But the boy reiterated his claim again and yet again. Then the brahminee, taking a sword, entered an inner room and ripped up her belly, saying : — " If I can only find out whether 'tis a boy or a girl." Thus did she destroy both her own life and her unborn infant, and her wealth also, through the foolish and thoughtless way in which, seeking a heritage, she met with ruin and disaster. Even so you, Prince, foolish and thoughtless that you are, will meet with ruin and disaster by seeking without wisdom for another world. [332] Moral and virtuous Wanderers and Brahmins do not force maturity on that which is unripe ; they, being wise, wait for that maturity. The virtuous have need of their life. In proportion to the length of time such men abide here, is the abundant merit that they produce and accomplish for the welfare of many, for the happiness of many, out of compassion for the world, for the advantage, the welfare, the happiness of gods and men. Let this then be a proof to you, Prince, that there is another world, that there is rebirth other than of parentage, that there is fruit and result of deeds well and ill-done.'

14. 'Even though Master Kassapa says so, it still appears to me that not one of these things exists.'

1 Have you further evidence, Prince ? '

' I have, Master Kassapa.' 1

' As how, Prince ? '

1 Here it is, Master Kassapa. Take the case of men who having taken a felon red-handed bring him up, saying : — " This felon, my lord, was caught in the act. Inflict on him what penalty you wish." And I should say : — " Well then, my masters, throw this man alive into a jar ; close the mouth of it and cover it

D. ii. 334. SEARCH FOR THE SOUL. 359 over with wet leather, put over that a thick cement of moist clay, put it on to a furnace and kindle a fire." [333] They saying " Very good " would obey me and . . . kindle a fire. When we knew that the man was dead, we should take down the jar, unbind and open the mouth, and quickly observe it, with the idea : — " Perhaps we may see the soul of him coming out ! " We don't see the soul of him coming out ! This, master Kassapa, is for me evidence that there neither is another world, nor rebirth other than by parentage, nor fruit or result of deeds well or ill-done.'

15. ' Well then, Prince, I will in reply ask you something, and do you answer as you may please. Do you not admit, Prince, that, when you are taking siesta, you see dreams of enjoyment in garden, grove, country, or lake side ? '

' I do admit it, Master Kassapa.'

' Are you at that time watched over by attendant women — hunchbacks and dwarfs, and maidens * and girls ? '

' That is so, Master Kassapa.'

' Do they see your soul entering or leaving you ? '

[334] ' Not so, Master Kassapa.'