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1412
TATTVASANGRAHA: CHAPTER XXVI.
--because of the Reasons adduced before-such as being cognisable' and the rest.-(3178-3177)
Says the Opponent-The line of Buldhas has been without beginning; honce the doctrine propounded by them is also beginningless; so that on account of the beginninglessness of both these being exactly like that of the Veda and the Vedic Tradition, they must be regarded as free from defects.
The answer to this from the Mināmsaka is as follows:
TEXT (3178)
"The beginninglessness THAT IS ASSERTED IN REGARD TO THE COMPOSER AND THE UTTERANCES EMANATING YROM HIM IS ITSELY BASED UPON TWO INVALID NOTIONS ; HENCE IT CANNOT PROVE THE RELIABILITY
OF THE SAID COMPOSER AND HIS WORDS."-(3178)
COMMENTARY. The same idoa is further explained :
TEXT (3179).
“THE WORDS OF Shauddhodani (BUDDHA) CANNOT BE RELIABLE, BECAUSE THEY ARE DEPENDENT UPON OTHERS; SO ALSO Buddha HIMSELF
CANNOT BE RELIABLE BECAUSE HE HAS NO DIRECT
KNOWLEDGE OF Dharma."—(3179)
COMMENTARY.
Just as Buddha himself and his words are unroliable, so also are Kanaka, Käshyapa, etc. and their words.-(3170)
TEXT (3180).
The beginninglessness OF SUCH PERSONS, EVEN THOUGH ASSUMED, RESTS UPON WHAT IS INVALID, AND HENCE CANNOT ITSELF BE
PAR REMOVED FROM INVALIDITY." (3180)
COMMENTARY.
The beginninglessness of such persons and their words, even though assumed, is not very far from Invalidity ; because it rests upon an invalid basis.-(3180)