at particular existence, develops. Yet the record or
reflection of all the past earth-lives must survive; for, when Prince
Siddh[=a]rtha became Buddha, the full sequence of his previous births
was seen by him. If their several incidents had left no trace behind,
this could not have been so, as there would have been nothing for him
to see. And any one who attains to the fourth state of _Dhy[=a]na_
(psychical insight) can thus retrospectively trace the line of his
lives.

242. Q. _What is the ultimate point towards which tend all these
series of changes in form?_

A. Nirv[=a]na.

243. Q. _Does Buddhism teach that we should do good with the view of
reaching Nirv[=a]na?_

A. No; that would be as absolute selfishness as though the reward
hoped for had been money, a throne, or any other sensual enjoyment.
Nirv[=a]na cannot be so reached, and the unwise speculator is
foredoomed to disappointment.

244. Q. _Please make it a little clearer?_

A. Nirv[=a]na is the synonym of unselfishness, the entire surrender of
selfhood to truth. The ignorant man aspires to nirv[=a]nic happiness
without the least idea of its nature. Absence of selfishness is
Nirv[=a]na. Doing good with the view to getting results, or leading
the holy life with the object of gaining heavenly happiness, is not the
Noble Life that the Buddha enjoined. Without hope of reward the Noble
Life should be lived, and that is the highest life. The nirv[=a]nic
state can be attained while one is living on this earth.

245. Q. _Name the ten great obstacles to advancement, called
Sanyojanas, the Fetters?_

A. Delusion of self (_Sakk[=a]ya-ditthi_); Doubt (_Vicikicch[=a]_);
Dependence on superstitious rites (_S[=i]labbata-par[=a]m[=a]sa_);
Sensuality, bodily passions (_K[=a]ma_); Hatred, ill-feeling
(_Patigha_); Love of life on earth (_R[=u]par[=a]ga_); Desire for life
in a heaven (_Ar[=u]par[=a]ga_); Pride (_M[=a]na_); Self-righteousness
(Uddhacca); Ignorance (_Avijj[=a]_).

246. Q. _To become an Arhat, how many of these fetters must be
broken?_

A. All.

247. Q. _What are the five Nirw[=a]ranas or Hindrances?_

A. Greed, Malice, Sloth, Pride, and Doubt.

248. Q. _Why do we see this minute division of feelings, impulses,
workings of the mind, obstacles and aids to advancement so much used in
the Buddha's teachings? It is very confusing to a beginner._

A. It is to help us to obtain knowledge of ourselves, by training our
minds