Tattva Sangraha Vol 2

SR No.: 007609
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Kamlashila, Ganganatha Jha
Publisher: Oriental Research Institute Vadodra
Publication Year: 1939
Total Pages: 887
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 84 MB

Page 710

EXAMINATION OF THE 'PERSON OF SUPER-NORMAL VISION'. 1435
would be in the conceptual state, and in this state there is no difference between the child and the wise man; so that He would be not-omniscient, and His assertion would not be the assertion of the Omniscient Person. (3240)
The following might be urged-He does not actually teach anything at all; as He is always rapt in non-conceptual (indeterminato Abstract) Communion; what happens is that, under His supervision, there become revealed the teachings relating to the various forms of Dharma, in the shape of the ideas of things. This has been thus declared During the night that Buddha became enlightened, and when He reached Parinirvana,-at that time, not a single syllable was uttered by Him, nor was anything said ; -why 1-because Buddha is ever rapt in Communion : what happens however is that His disciples, who can grasp only teachings expressed in spoken words, hear sounds proceeding from the mouth of Buddha, like that of wool issuing out of the unisa (turban ?)'.
The answer to this is as follows:
TEXTS (3241–3243).
"THE FOLLOWING ASSERTIONS HAVE BEEN MADE (BY BUDDHISTS WHEN Buddha IS BAPT IN COMMUNION, AND STANDS UNRUFYLED LIKE THE Chinta.jewel, TEACHINGS ISSUE FORTH, FREELY, FROM EVEN THE WALLS; AND WITH THE HELP OF THESE, MEN COME TO KNOW ALL THAT THEY WANT TO KNOW ; AND THUS THEY QUICKLY SECURE ALL THAT IS GOOD FOR THEM. SUCH ASSERTIONS SOUND WELL ONLY WHEN ADDRESSED TO PEOPLE IMBUED WITH FAITH ; WE HOWEVER ARE WANTING IN THAT FAITH, AND
HENCE ASK FOR REASONS."-(3241-3243)
COMMENTARY.
Chinta-ratna' is the Chintamani, a gem believed to provide all that one desires.
The upshot of the whole is as follows : -An assertion like the one just made, without any reasons in support, sound well only when addressed to the faithful; people like us, however, admit of only such things as can be supported by reasons, and hence Reason is what we ask for ; how then can we accept such assertions wholly unsupported by reasons (3241-3243)
Then again, the assumption put forward may be true; even so, as regards the teachings issuing forth from the walls, there would always be a doubt as to their proceeding under the supervision of the Omniscient One; hence intelligent enquirers cannot rightly believe them to be true and reliable. This is what is pointed out in the following: -