the Equinox - The Hermetic Library

142
THE NOBLE EIGHTFOLD PATH
In place of producing a dissolution of the individual
Âtman in the universal Âtman, the method of Buddha produced
a submersion of Karma in the bournless ocean of
Nibbâna.
In Chapter I of Book II of “The Questions of King Milinda”
Nâgasena lays down that he who escapes rebirth does
so through Wisdom (Paññâ) and Reasoning (Yonisomanasikâra)
and by other “Good Qualities.” The Reason grasps the
object and Wisdom cuts if off, whilst the good qualities seem
to be the united action of these two, thus we get Good Conduct
(Sîlam), Faith (Saddhâ), Perseverance (Viriyam), Mindfulness
(Sati) and Meditation (Samâdhi), all of which rather
than being separate states are but qualities of the one state of
Meditation at various stages in that state of Samâdhi which
Nâgasena calls “the leader” . . . “All good qualities have
meditation as their chief, then incline to it, lead up towards it,
are as so many slopes up the side of the mountain of meditation.”*
Just as Yama, Niyama, Prânâyâma, Pratyâhâra,
Dhâranâ and Dhyâna are of Samâdhi. Further Nâgasena
says “Cultivate in yourselves O Bhikkus, the habit of meditation.
He who is established therein knows things as they
really are.Ӡ
Under Faith, is classed Tranquilization (Sampasâdaba) and
* “The Questions of King Milinda,” ii, 1, 7, 9, 13. † Ibid., 13.