________________
78
THE QUESTIONS OF KING MILINDA.
II, 2, 9.
effect, or which will otherwise lead to reindividualisation. To them time is. Where there are beings who, when dead, will be reborn, there time is. Where there are beings who, when dead, will not be reborn, there time is not; and where there are beings who are altogether set free (who, having attained Nirvana in their present life, have come to the end of that life), there time is not-because of their having been quite set free 1.'
You are ready, Nâgasena, in reply.'
Here ends the Second Chapter.
i Parinibbutatta. Hardy renders this whole clause (the last lines) : Nirvana is attained, time is no longer.' But this is one of the endless confusions arising out of not knowing the distinction between Nirvana and Parinirvana. To a man who had attained Nirvâna' there would still be time as long as he was in the enjoyment of it, that is as long as he continued in his present (and last) existence. The Simhalese is perfectly clear.
Digitized by Google
