"Transmigration."
"Ah, yes; I remember. That was the rock you split on."
"I cannot accept the weary round of those cycles of rebirths."
"You accept a cycle of existence of some sort?"
"Existence; life; immortality of the soul; yes."
"Which implies existence prenatal and after physical death?"
"Certainly; Mr. Alderbury says that the germ of that idea lies hidden in most religions."
"If you admit so much, why can't you accept the transmigration theory? It accounts for all the suffering that exists. It is a retributive system of perfect justice. The pains you suffer now are due solely to your own actions in a previous embodiment; and your conduct now will predetermine your pleasure and pain in your next incarnation. To me it is an acceptable theory relieving one of an enormous responsibility."
"If you really believe such a theory in its entirety, why do you attempt to give that child pleasure?"
Bopaul laughed but made no reply, and Ananda continued: