If we interrogate it respecting the destiny of the soul, it demands of us what has become of the flame when it is blown out, and in what condition it was before the taper was lighted.

Was it a nonentity?
Has it been annihilated?
It admits that the idea of personality which has deluded us through life may not be instantaneously extinguished at death, but may be lost by slow degrees.

On this is founded the doctrine of transmigration.

But at length reunion with the universal Intellect takes place, Nirwana is reached, oblivion is attained, a state that has no relation to matter, space, or time, the state into which the departed flame of the extinguished taper has gone, the state in which we were before we were born.

This is the end that we ought to hope for; it is reabsorption in the universal Force--supreme bliss, eternal rest.
Through Aristotle these doctrines were first introduced into Eastern Europe; indeed, eventually, as we shall see, he was regarded as the author of them.