[7] “Were it possible for a Yogi and a Rahat from India, a Greek philosopher from one of the schools holding the power of intuition, an ascetic from the wilds of Syria or the mountains of Egypt, a heretic from the school at Alexandria, a monk from one of the monasteries of Europe, a schoolman of the Middle Ages, and a modern German metaphysician of the school of Schelling to meet together, and were it possible for them to forget their sectarian subtleties and nice distinctions, they would find that there was a vast mass of speculation about the main principles of which they were agreed. They would be of one mind relative to the four following propositions: [1] That there is an objective potency of intellect; [2] That this potency can be rendered subjective by concentrated thought, ascetic exercises, or determined effort; [3] That this potency can only be acquired by the initiated; [4] That the initiated may enlarge this potency to a limitless extent. As to the efficient cause of the potency, there would be a difference of opinion; some would ascribe it to intuition alone, while others would attribute it to an alliance with higher spirits or with God; but of its existence there would be no doubt.”—_Eastern Monachism_. Spence Hardy. [8] “For now I know, by what within me stirs, That I shall teach compassion unto men And be a speechless world’s interpreter.”—_The Light of Asia_. Sir Edwin Arnold. [9] “(By me) is made a well-constructed raft,—so said Bhagavat—I have passed over (to Nibbana), I have reached the further bank, having overcome the torrent (of passions); there is no (further) use for a raft: therefore if thou like, rain, O sky!”—_Sutta-Nipata_. Fausböll. [10] Compare an idea expressed by the apostle Paul, “wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ.” Note, also, the similarity of a metaphor employed in Christian anthology, “We shall meet on that beautiful ‘shore.’” [11] “Our little systems have their day, They have their day and cease to be; They are but broken lights of Thee, But thou, O Lord, art more than they.”—Tennyson. “Reposing on eternal truth ... when thy mind shall have worked through the snares of delusion, then wilt thou attain to indifference to the doctrines, which are either (already) received, or have yet to be received.”—_Bhagavad-Gita_. J. Cockburn Thomson. [Chapter 7] The Lord Buddha addressed Subhuti, saying: “What think you? Has the Lord Buddha really attained to supreme spiritual wisdom? Or has he a system of doctrine which can be specifically formulated?”