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EXISTENCE OF THE SOUL
41 how one has been advised to be non-attached to the other, the non-self, and to be bent on reaching the goal of Nirvana.
Another fact which appears in the Buddhist Literature is that it has not taken up the subtle questions of metaphysics, which stand on the basis of intellect or argument, and has avoided all controversial points. It has mostly dealt with matters, that may be easily understood by the ordinary public, so that they may easily understand, and try to walk on the Path. It has mostly described four things; (1) What is pain ? (2) What is the cause of pain ? (3) What is cessation of pain ? (4) What is the means of cessation of pain ? The utility of such description is this that the student is saved the difficulty of discussing different views of different systems of philosophy, and easily engage himself in following the path, with the result that he reaches the same goal, which would have been reached also through subtle metaphysics. On giving deep thought, he gradually understands the subtle philosophy also. We shall take some examples from Buddhist Literature.
Patthapada Sutta of Digha Nikâya. 1:9.
The translation and purport of which has been given in the Hindi book “ Buddhacharya" see pages 189 to 199.
“Patthapadâ asked the following questions of Gautam Buddha (1) Is the universe indestructible ?
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