Page:Gospel of Buddha.djvu/182

 Kūtadanta said: "Where, O venerable Master, is Nirvāna?" "Nirvāna is wherever the precepts are obeyed," replied the Blessed One.

"Do I understand thee aright," rejoined the Brahman, "that Nirvāna is not a place, and being nowhere it is without reality?"

"Thou dost not understand me aright," said the Blessed One, "Now listen and answer these questions: Where does the wind dwell?"

"Nowhere," was the reply,

Buddha retorted "Then, sir, there is no such thing as wind."

Kūtadanta made no reply; and the Blessed One asked again: "Answer me, O Brahman, where does wisdom dwell? Is wisdom a locality?" "Wisdom has no allotted dwelling-place," replied Kūtadanta. Said the Blessed One: "Meanest thou that there is no wisdom, no enlightenment, no righteousness, and no salvation, because Nirvāna is not a locality? As a great and mighty wind which passeth over the world in the heat of the day, so the Tathāgata comes to blow over the minds of mankind with the breath of his love, so cool, so sweet, so calm, so delicate; and those tormented by fever assuage their suffering and rejoice at the refreshing breeze."

Said Kūtadanta: "I feel, O Lord, that thou proclaimest a great doctrine, but I cannot grasp it. Forbear with me that I ask again: Tell me, O Lord, if there be no ātman, how can there be immortality? The activity of the mind passeth, and our thoughts are gone when we have done thinking." Buddha replied: "Our thinking is gone, but our thoughts continue. Reasoning ceases, but knowledge remains." 154