Fragment III The Seven Portals

"PÂDHYÂYA.mw-parser-output.wst-ref:target{background-color:var(--background-color-progressive-subtle--active,#cbd6f6)}[1], the choice is made, I thirst for Wisdom. Now hast thou rent the veil before the secret Path and taught the greater Yâna [2]. Thy servant here is ready for thy guidance."

'Tis well, Śrâvaka [3]. Prepare thyself, for thou wilt have to travel on alone. The Teacher can but point the way. The Path is one for all, the means to reach the goal must vary with the Pilgrims.

Which wilt thou choose, O thou of dauntless heart? The Samtan [4] of "eye Doctrine," four-fold Dhyâna, or thread thy way through Pâramitâs [5], six in number, noble gates of virtue leading to Bodhi and to Prajñâ, seventh step of Wisdom?

The rugged Path of four-fold Dhyâna winds on uphill. Thrice great is he who climbs the lofty top.

The Pâramitâ heights are crossed by a still steeper path. Thou hast to fight thy way through portals seven, seven strongholds held by cruel crafty Powers — passions incarnate.

Be of good cheer, Disciple; bear in mind the golden rule. Once thou hast passed the gate Srotâpatti [6], "he who the stream hath entered"; once thy foot hath pressed the bed of the Nirvânic stream in this or any future life, thou hast but seven other births before thee, O thou of adamantine Will.

Look on. What see'st thou before thine eye, O aspirant to god-like Wisdom?

"The cloak of darkness is upon the deep of matter; within its folds I struggle. Beneath my gaze it deepens, Lord; it is dispelled beneath the waving of thy hand. A shadow moveth, creeping like the stretching serpent coils.... It grows, swells out and disappears in darkness."

It is the shadow of thyself outside the Path, cast on the darkness of thy sins.

"Yea, Lord; I see the PATH; its foot in mire, its summits lost in glorious light Nirvânic. And now I see the ever narrowing Portals on the hard and thorny way to Jñâna."*

[*Knowledge, Wisdom.]

Thou seest well, Lanoo. These Portals lead the aspirant across the waters on "to the other shore" [7]. Each Portal hath a golden key that openeth its gate; and these keys are: —