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 to Manasakata. Is it just so with the paths of the sages? Are all paths paths to salvation, and do they all lead to a union with Brahmā? And the Blessed One proposed these questions to the two Brahmans: "Do you think that all paths are right?"

Both answered and said: "Yes, Gotama, we think so." "But tell me," continued the Buddha, "has any one of the Brahmans, versed in the Vedas, seen Brahmā face to face?"

"No, sir!" was the reply.

"But, then," said the Blessed One, "has any teacher of the Brahmans, versed in the Vedas, seen Brahmā face to face?"

The two Brahmans said: "No, sir."

"But, then," said the Blessed One, "has any one of the authors of the Vedas seen Brahma face to face?"

Again the two Brahmans answered in the negative and exclaimed: "How can any one see Brahma or understand him, for the mortal cannot understand the immortal." And the Blessed One proposed an illustration, saying: "It is as if a man. should make a staircase in the place where four roads cross, to mount up into a mansion. And people should ask him, 'Where, good friend, is this mansion, to mount up into which you are making this staircase? Knowest thou whether it is in the east, or in the south, or in the west, or in the north? Whether it is high, or low, or of medium size?' And when so asked he should answer, *I know it not.' And people should say to him, 'But, then, good friend, thou art making a staircase to mount up into something—taking it for a mansion—which all the while thou knowest not, "neither hast thou seen it.' And when so asked he should answer, 'That is exactly what I do; yea I know that I cannot know it.' What would you think of him? Would you not say that the talk of that man was foolish talk?" 140