z:\ ambedkar\vol 011\vol11 04.indd MK SJ+YS 5 10 2013/YS 18 11 2013 260
260 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES
How long does it remain there ? These questions the Buddha tried to argue out with the upholders of the doctrine of the soul.
III
He first tried to show how vague was the idea about the soul by his usual method of cross-examination.
He asked those who believed in the existence of the soul, what the soul was like in size and in shape.
To Ananda he said the declarations concerning the soul are abounding. Some declare : “My soul has a form and it is minute.” Others declare the soul to have form and to be boundless and minute. Others declare it to be formless and boundless.
“In so many ways, Ananda, are declarations made concerning the soul.”
“How is the soul conceived by those who believe in the soul ?” was another question raised by the Buddha. Some say, “My soul is feeling.” Others say, “Nay, my soul is not feeling, my soul is not sentient” ; or again : “Nay, my soul is not feeling, nor is it non-sentient ; my soul has feeling, it has the property of sentience.” Under such aspects as these is the soul conceived.
The Buddha next asked those who believed in the existence of the soul as to the condition of the soul after the death of the body.
He also raised the question whether the soul was visible after the death of the body.
He found infinite number of vague statements.
Does the soul keep its form after the death of the body ? He found that there were eight different speculations.
Does the soul die with the body ? There were innumerable speculations on this.
He also raised the question of the happiness or misery of the soul after the body is dead. Is the soul happy after the death of the body? On this also the Recluses and Brahmins differed. Some said it was altogether miserable. Some said it was happy. Some said it is both happy and miserable and some said it is neither happy nor miserable.