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GLIMPSES ALONG LIFE'S JOURNEY
“And I tell you," interposed Sambhinnamati,“ what you call the reality of nature is only a bundle of ideas. There are no things or objects; what you see is only thought! Why, then, run after such imaginary shadows as life after death? Why waste your energies in thus pursuing the will o' the wisp ? Why not be happy with what you have got, and make the best of it?"
It was the turn of Satamati now, and he was not slow to preach his favourite doctrine of voidness. There is nothing permanent; nothing that can be said to be everlasting; extinction is the goal of all. What is the good of embarking on such a wild goose's chase as eternal life in nirvana?'
Svayambuddha heard all that his three colleagues had to say against his faith. When they ceased talking, he said, “Sire, the reality of the soul is not open to doubt or dispute. It is not a mere theory that I have set before your majesty; in your own illustrious family there is much biographical matter to demonstrate the truth of the doctrine of the creed. Look at that (beautiful string of heavenly gems that is encircling your majesty's neck! Was it not given to an illustrious ancestor of yours by a resident of the Devaloka (heavens)? And who was that deva
