“Looking through all the conditions of life, from first to last nought is free from destruction.  But the incomparable seer dwelling in the world, thoroughly acquainted with the highest truth, whose wisdom grasps that which is beyond the world’s ken, he it is who can save the worldly-dwellers.  He it is who can provide lasting escape from the destructive power of impermanence.  But, alas! through the wide world, all that lives is sunk in unbelief.”

At this time Anuruddha, “not stopped” by the world, “not stopped” from being delivered, the stream of birth and death forever “stopped,” sighed forth the praises of Tathagata’s Nirvana:—­

“All living things completely blind and dark! the mass of deeds all perishing, even as the fleeting cloud-pile!  Quickly arising and as quickly perishing! the wise man holds not to such a refuge, for the diamond mace of inconstancy can overturn the mountain of the Rishi hermit.  How despicable and how weak the world! doomed to destruction, without strength!  Impermanence, like the fierce lion, can even spoil the Naga-elephant-great-Rishi.  Only the diamond curtain of Tathagata can overwhelm inconstancy!  How much more should those not yet delivered from desire, fear and dread its power?  From the six seeds there grows one sprout, one kind of water from the rain, the origin of the four points is far removed:  five kinds of fruit from the two ’Koo’—­the three periods, past, present, future, are but one in substance; the Muni-great-elephant plucks up the great tree of sorrow, and yet he cannot avoid the power of impermanence.  For like the crested bird delights within the pool to seize the poisonous snake, but when from sudden drought he is left in the dry pool, he dies; or as the prancing steed advances fearlessly to battle, but when the fight has passed goes back subdued and quiet; or as the raging fire burns with the fuel, but when the fuel is done, expires; so is it with Tathagata, his task accomplished he returns to find his refuge in Nirvana:  just as the shining of the radiant moon sheds everywhere its light and drives away the gloom, all creatures grateful for its light, it disappears concealed by Sumeru; such is the case with Tathagata, the brightness of his wisdom lit up the gloomy darkness, and for the good of all that lives drove it away, when suddenly it disappears behind the mountain of Nirvana.  The splendor of his fame throughout the world diffused, had banished all obscurity, but like the stream that ever flows, it rests not with us; the illustrious charioteer with his seven prancing steeds flies through the host and disappears.