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EXAMINATION OF THE 'PERSON OF SUPER-NORMAL VISION'. 1511
TEXT (3431). IF A MAN IS ABLE TO JUMP TO THE HEIGHT OF 15 FEET, HE COULD CERTAINLY ACQUIRE THE CAPACITY TO JUMP TO GREATER HEIGHTS,
THROUGH SIMILAR MEANS.-(3431)
COMMENTARY.
The following Text proceeds to show that the Author's Reason is not falsified by the case of the 'Heating of Water'; because of the qualifying phrase 'having a lasting substratum' (in Text 3421):
TEXT (3432). WHILE THE WATER IS BEING HEATED, IT IS GRADUALLY UNDERGOING DESTRUCTION (EVAPORATION); THUS THE SUBSTRATUM BEING NOT LASTING', WHAT AND WHERE WOULD THE PERFECTION 'LIE?
-(3432)
COMMENTARY.
Question -"How is it known that Wisdom and other qualities have a lasting substratum ?"
Answer:
TEXT (3433).
OF mental qualities, THE SUBSTRATUM CONSISTS IN THE CHAIN OF CONSCIOUSNESS'; AND THIS NEVER CEASES TO FUNCTION THROUGH
ITS CONNECTION WITH ITS RECEPTACLE.-(3433)
COMMENTARY.
*This'-i.e. The Chain of Consciousness.
Function through, etc. etc. i.e. from functioning through its connection with its receptacle, in the shape of the Bodhisattva; because what is meant is a particular 'Receptacle'.
What is meant is as follows:It has been proved that there is another "Region' (Plane);--the Bodhisattvas are persons thoroughly imbued with great Mercy, and they live for the sole purpose of saving all beings from the meshes of Birth and Rebirth; the 'Chain of Consciousness', therefore, that subsists in them is all the more 'lasting'. That'Chain of Consciousness', on the other hand, which subsists in the Disciples is not so 'lasting'; because these latter enter into Nirvana sooner, and hence their Mercy is not so intense; which fact leads them to make no effort to continue to live on (for the benefit of living Beings).-(3433)
