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THE QUESTIONS AND PUZZLES
IV, 7, 19.
and seasons. Of Nirvana, O king, it cannot be said that it is Karma-born or cause-born or season-born; that it has been, or has not been, or can be produced, that it is past or future or present, that it is perceptible by the eye or the nose or the ear or the tongue or by the sense of touch. But it is perceptible, O king, by the mind. By means of his pure heart, refined and straight, free from the obstacles, free from low cravings, that disciple of the Noble Ones who has fully attained can see Nirvâna.'
'Well has this delightful puzzle, venerable Nâgasena, been examined into, cleared of doubt, brought into certitude. My perplexity has been put an end to as soon as I consulted you, O best of the best of the leaders of schools!'
[Here ends the dilemma as to modes of production.]
[DILEMMA THE SIXTY-SEVENTH. DEAD DEMONS.]
19. 'Venerable Nâgasena, are there such things as demons (Yakkhâ) in the world?'
'Yes, O king.'
'Do they ever leave that condition' (fall out of that phase of existence)?
'Yes, they do.'
'But, if so, why is it that the remains of those dead Yakkhas are never found, nor any odour of their corpses smelt?'
'[272] Their remains are found, O king, and an odour does arise from their dead bodies. The remains of bad Yakkhas can be seen in the form of
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