________________
IV, 8, 76.
OF MILINDA THE KING.
195
as a mountain peak is inaccessible, so also is Nirvana inaccessible to all evil dispositions. This is the third quality of a mountain peak inherent in Nirvana. And again, O king, as a mountain peak is a place where no plants can grow, so also is Nirvana a condition in which no evil dispositions can grow. This is the fourth quality of a mountain peak inherent in Nirvana. And again, o king, as a mountain peak is free alike from desire to please and from resentment, so also is Nirvana. This is the fifth quality of a mountain peak inherent in Nirvana.'
[328] 'Very good, Nagasena! That is so, and I accept it as you say.'
[Here ends the problem as to the form of Nirvana.]
(DILEMMA THE EIGHTY-FIRST.
THE TIME OF NIRVÂNA.] 76. Venerable Nâgasena, your people sayl:
"Nirvana is not past, nor future, nor present, nor produced, nor not produced, nor producible ?."
'In that case, Nâgasena, does the man who, having ordered his life aright, realises Nirvana, realise something already produced, or does he himself produce it first, and then realise it?'
'Neither the one, O king, nor the other. And nevertheless, O king, that principle of Nirvana (nibbâna-dhâtu) which he, so ordering his life aright, realises—that exists.'
1 Not yet traced in the Pitakas.
3. By the action of Karma as a pre-existing cause' is to be understood.
02
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