18. Our Conception of
Buddha is not Final.
Has, then, the divine
nature of Universal Spirit been completely and exhaustively revealed in our
Enlightened Consciousness? To this question we should answer negatively, for,
so far as our limited experience is concerned, Universal Spirit reveals itself
as a Being with profound
wisdom and boundless mercy;
this, nevertheless, does not imply that the conception is the only possible and
complete one. We should always bear in mind that the world is alive, and
changing, and moving. It goes on to disclose a new phase, or to add a new
truth. The subtlest logic of old is a mere quibble of nowadays. The miracles of
yesterday are the commonplaces of to-day. Now theories are formed, new discoveries
are made, only to give their places to newer theories are discoveries. New
ideals realized or new desires satisfied are sure to awaken newer and stronger
desires. Not an instant life remains immutable, but it rushes on, amplifying
and enriching itself from the dawn of time to the end of eternity.
Therefore Universal Life
may in the future possibly unfold its new spiritual content, yet unknown to us
because it has refined, lifted up, and developed living beings from the amœba
to man, increasing the intelligence and range of individuals, until highly
civilized man emerge into the plane of consciousness-consciousness of divine
light in him. Thus to believe in Buddha is to be content and thankful for the
grace of His, and to hope for the infinite unfoldment of His glories in man.
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