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TRANSMIGRATION & NIRVANA
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integral part of their creed, originally, and still forms a part of their esoteric faith.* It should be remembered that Origen was degraded because he openly declared in favour of the doctrine of re-incarnation,
Three states of the hereafter are described in the Christian literature: (1) Resurrection; (2) Resurrection in flesh; (3) Being sent to the outer darkness.
(1) Resurrection is supported by the authority of the text in Luke xx. 34-36.
"... The children of this world marry, and are given in mat. riage : But they which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage : Neither can they die any more : for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection."
This means Nirvana pure and simple, because (a) It is obtained by individual work and worth
They who are accounted worthy to obtain that world and the resurrection from the dead,' etc.
(b) The soul that has risen has no body, and is consequently sexless.
(c) It is termed ' a Son of God.' (d) It cannot die any more. .
(2) Resurrection in flesh means rebirth, for the body is an instrument of punishment.' The soul whose life has not been characterised by Right Conduct will
* Cf. "Now of these souls some descend upon the earth with a view to being bound up in mortal bodies, those namely which are most nearly connected with the earth, and which are lovers of the body. But some soar upwards . . . Of these those which are influenced by & desire for mortal life, and which have been familiarised to it, again return to it ..."_Yonge's Philo Judæus vol. ü. p. 321.
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