The Bhikṣuṇī Maṇimēkhalai

120 - The Philosophical Systems
‘Nirvāṇam alone is blissful peace’, Nirvāṇamēvaśāntam’. Thus are
expounded the ‘Four Truths’.
One statement in the course of this deserves closer attention, that is,
the statement that in anything existent, there is nothing like a soul. It
is as a general statement the same as ‘sarvam anātmakam’, but
somewhat narrower in its application as it is actually stated in this
context as well as in a passage following near the end of the chapter. 75
Here the statement ‘anātmakam’ seems to imply the negation of
individual souls in things existing, and not in its further development
of a common soul which is believed to be a refinement introduced by
Harivarma (A.D. cir. 250), the chief disciple of Kumāralabdha, the
founder of the Sātyasiddhi school.
Then follows the question of theological method, then an exposition
of the five skandhas. The [83] skandhas and their manifestations, it is
taught, are caused by desire, anger and illusion, and could be got rid
of by getting rid of these three. Each one of these is to be examined
separately, its real nature understood and adhesion to it got rid of. An
examination would thus show that everything is impermanent, full of
suffering, without a soul and unclean. By so understanding it, desire
must be given up. The best attitude of mind is attained in the
realization of friendliness to all living beings, kindliness to creatures,
and joy at the well-being of all, and these must therefore be cultivated.
Illusion is got rid of by hearing ‘Śruti’; by mentation, Cētanā;
experiencing in mind – Bhāvanā; realizing in vision – Darśana. By
practising these steadily one can get rid of darkness of mind.
75 11. 177-254