“Yes, not his own faith, but the faith which prompted the vow of Amitabha. Amitâbha’s faith in the possibility of his salvation gives him supreme confidence that he will attain salvation. All he needs is to have the desire to be born in that paradise and to repeat the name of Amitabha.” _4. Salvation of the Second Class_ “How do those of the second class attain salvation?” “The men of the second class regard ideas as realities. They are not entangled in the maze of things, but are confused by ideas, regarding them as real. These men do not need images and outward sanctions, but they need heaven and purgatory though regarding them as ideas. By performing the ten good deeds they will obtain a quiet heart, having no fear, and become saints and sages. Among men, saints and sages occupy a high rank, but not so among Buddhists. By merit of good works merely they enter the planes of sensuous desire, the six celestial worlds located immediately above the earth.” _5. Salvation for the Highest Class_ “And the third class?” “This class has many ranks. There are those who by the practice of meditation (four _dkyanas_) [Footnote: Dhyana means contemplation. In later times under the influence of the idea of transmigration heavens were imagined which corresponded to the degrees of contemplation.] can enter the sixteen heavens conditioned by form. By the practice of the four _arûpa-dhyânas_ [Footnote: That degree of abstract contemplation from which all sensations are absent.] they enter the four highest heavens free from all sensuous desires and not conditioned by form. These heavens are the anteroom of Nirvana.” “What is the driving power in all this?” “It is _vîrya_ or energy.” _6. Heaven and Purgatory_ “Do heaven and purgatory exist?” “Heaven and purgatory are in the minds and hearts of men. Really heaven is in the mind of Amitâbha and purgatory exists in the illusioned brains of men.” “Does anything exist?” “Nâgârjuna says: ‘There is no production, no destruction, no annihilation, no persistence, no unity, no plurality, no coming in and no going forth.’” _7. Sin_ “Does sin exist?” “In the mind of the real Buddhist sin and virtue are different aspects of the all. Sin is illusion; virtue is illusion, There is a higher unity in which they are reconciled.” _8. Nirvâna_ _“Do you know of any one who attained Nirvâna?”_ “Yes, I have experienced it. It is not a state beyond the grave. It is a state into which one can enter here.” “Can you express this experience in words?” “Impossible. I can only indicate the shore of this great ocean. At first I was in great distress and agony, as though carrying the illusions of the world. Then came a great peace and calm, ineffable, serene, and surpassing the power of language to express.” _9. The Philosophical Background_ “What is behind this universe!”