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1472
TATTVASANGRAHA: CHAPTER XXVI.
If this is the answer, then it means that there is no difference of opinion between these Teachers and Buddha; hence our Reason would not be 'inadmissible'.
The Author therefore says in his reply- If that is so, etc. etc.'-We do not mean to point our finger to any one Person and say that 'He is omniscient, we only assert it in a general way that there are omniscient persons'. If it is admitted that Kapila and others also have the said knowledge of truth, then you should not say "why is there a difference of opinion between the two" ?-Because under the circumstances, they would all be of the same opinion.
Then, as regards the mutually contradictory teachings of these Teachers, it will have to be interpreted in some other way; for people holding the same opinions cannot expound contradictory.teachings the only right view is that all of them expound only the true nature of things. Hence whenever one meets with a diversity of opinion, he should understand that its meaning is something quite different.
In case they are held to be holders of divergent opinions, there can be no room for the question-" who is the one to be selected as omniscient?" (as has been asked by the other party in Text 3148). Because in that case Sugata (Buddha) would be selected as the only person possessing the said knowledge and hence being omniscient, and no other person could be so regarded.-(3332-3333)
Then again, if Kapila and others are accepted as holding the said opinion regarding things, then they become Buddhas themselves.--This is what is pointed out in the following:
TEXTS (3334-3335).
THE Buddhas ARE OMNISCIENT ONLY BECAUSE THEY HAVE THE DIRECT KNOWLEDGE OF TRUTH REGARDING ALL THINGS, AS EXPLAINED ABOVE. IF THEN THIS SAME KNOWLEDGE BELONGS TO THE OTHER TEACHERS ALSO, THEN THEY ALSO ARE' Buddhas 'AND THEIR
BUDDHA-HOOD' DOES NOT DIFFER FROM THAT OF the • Buddha; BECAUSE THEY ALSO POSSESS PERFECT
KNOWLEDGE, AND THIS IS THE SOLE CHARAC
TERISTIC OF THE Buddha.-(3334-3335)
COMMENTARY.
The Truth' whose character has been explained as consisting in there being no Soul, etc. etc.
* Taçam'-of Vardhamana and others. "This i.e. possessing perfect knowledge.
Tasya -of Buddha-hood. Because that person is called Sugata' (Buddha) who has attained the perfect knowledge of there being no Soul, and has got rid of all that obscures the right view of things.(3334-3335)
