"We know something but not all about Amitabha. He is the Dharmakaya, the embodiment of the good law. He is the Nirmanakaya, the aspiration to reach bodhi in the transformations of the evolution of life. He is the Sambhogakaya, the bliss of good deeds. The philosophers, scientists, poets, of the future, the thinkers and dreamers of mankind, will find in Amitabha a wonderful source of inspiration which can never be exhausted. The Tathagata's religion is not mere metaphysics, his philosophy is not mere mythology. He allows metaphysics and mythology their spheres, but urges the practical issues of life. Thus his religion comprises all without becoming vague."

Said the Brahman: "How can so many contradictory things be united in one?"

And Acvaghosha replied: "My venerable

teacher, the saintly sage Parsva, once told me the parable of the elephant which explains the relation of the truth to the sundry doctrines held by the several sects and schools, priests and philosophers, prophets and preachers.

The Brahman said that he had never heard the story, and expressed his desire to hear it.