________________
EXISTENCE OF THE SOUL
“So long as the three (things) body, speech and mind, are taken to be the Self, there is wandering; on acquiring discrimination from them, there is Nirvåna:”
When notions like "I am," "I am not,” “What is I ?,” disappear, then only there is true knowledge, grasp and realization of the soul.
Hindi Buldha Charyâ by Saint Rahula. (1) Sela sutta Page, 165.
Gotam is saying to Saila: “I have known what should have been known, I have meditated upon what should have been meditated upon, I have given up what should have been given up; therefore, O Brahmana! I am Buddha."
In such words doés Gotam declare that he has known himself, which is realizable, and has given up all non-soul.
; (2) Mahali sutta P. 247. Gotam says :-"Mahali ! once I was roaming in Ghoşitârama of Kausambi. Then Mandissa Paribrajaka and Jaliya, disciples of Dârupåtrika came to me and stood aside after greeting me. They asked “Gotam, are the soul and the body the same? or are the soul and the body both different ?"
Then I told them to hear patiently and said, “That monk who is full of right conduct obtains the first concentration and he knows and perceives this. He has no necessity of saying, “Are the soul and the body the same or are they different ?" In the same
10
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org