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174
THE QUESTIONS AND PUZZLES
IV, 8, 50.
king, is the reason why there is such a thing as dying before one's time.'
50. 'Most wonderful, Nâgasena, most strange! Right well have you explained, by reason and by simile, how it is that people die before their time. That there is such a thing as premature death have you made clear and plain and evident? A thoughtless man even, Nâgasena, a puzzle-headed fellow, could by any one of your comparisons have come to the conclusion that premature deaths do occur ;-[309] how much more an able man! I was convinced already, Sir, by the first of your similes, that such deaths happen, but nevertheless, out of the wish to hear still further and further solutions, I would not give in.' [Here ends the dilemma as to premature
deaths.]
DILEMMA THE SEVENTY-SEVENTH.
WONDERS AT THE GRAVE.] 51. 'Venerable Nâgasena, are there wonders at the Ketiyas (the mounds raised over the ashes) of all who have passed entirely away (of all the Arahats deceased) 2 ?'
Of some, O king, but not of others.' But of which, Sir, is this the case, and of which
not?'
1 Vibhûtam katam is rendered prasiddha karana laddeya in the Simhalese, p. 451.
: Parinibbutânam. The words in brackets are Hînal-kumburê's gloss. Of all who have been entirely set free' is an alternative, and perhaps a better, rendering.
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