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He hears the sounds of his own piteous cries for mercy ! he sees the rivers of fire, the scalding boilers, the spiked hills, the trees covered with knives — every misery in succession which he must endure. "But if he have a good karma, then he beholds the Heavenly mansions, the host of Devas and the Apsarasas, every kind of lovely garment, beautifully adorned, the palaces and gardens, surpassing in splendour ; and though his body be yet alive, he already enjoys an antepast of his future blessedness !'^ THE NINE MOUNTAIN GIRDLES AND THE EIGHT SEAS. 4. The first mountain is called Sume or Sumeru; its base is evenly placed on the top of the Gold circle (below the earth). It is broad towards the earth, and narrows upwards, again ex- panding towards the top. It is perfectly adorned with the four precious substances, gold, silver, sapphire, and lapis- ' Wliat is here called passion nature, is love of the impure: that which is called good conscience is love of virtue. (Ch. Ed.) SCRIPTURES FROM THE CHINESE. 45 lazuli (or coral, M.B. 11). Various sorts of trees, herbs, and fragrant foliage growing on its sides, spread tlieir odour far and wide. Here is the resting-place of sages and philosophers (after death) . The mountain is 168,000 yojanas high, of which 84,000 are below the surface of the water. (The Dirghagama. The Kosha and the Lai-shai give the height 80,000 yojanas, and they say that each mountain circle to the outside iron range diminishes one-half succes- sively). Beyond Mount Sumeru is the Fragrant Sea, whose breadth is 84,000 yojanas. (The Kosha says 80,000.) Each of the seven seas diminishes in breadth by one-half They produce the Utpala flower,^ the Padma flower,- the Kumuda flower,^ and the Pundarika flower.* These flowers grow in great profusion and spread their leaves on every side. Each mountain range is half immersed in these various seas. The second range is called Yugandara (mutually yoked). The height and breadth 42,000 yojanas. The sea is the same breadth (the Kosha says 40,000 in each case). The third range is called Isadara (holding or connecting pole), 21,000 yojanas in height, the sea just as wide (the Kosha says 20,000) . The fourth range is called Karavika,^ (projecting Avood. Im- post?) 12,000 yojanas high, the sea the same width (the Kosha says 10,000 yojanas.) The fifth range is called Sudarsana, 6,000 yojanas high, and the sea the same width. The sixth range is called Asva karua (horses^ ears), 3,000 yojanas high, the sea the same width (the Kosha says 2,500.) The seventh range is called Vinayaka (the Obstacle Mountains),^' 1,200 ■(? 1,600) yojanas high, the sea the same (the Kosha says 1,250). The eighth range is called Nemiiidhara (hold- ing-earth), 600 yojanas high (the Kosha says 625). Be- tween this range and the Chakra Mountains, which are 300 yojanas high, and which enclose the whole system, is the ^ Nymphoeas in general. ^ Nelumbium speciosum. ^ Nymphoea esculenta. < The white Lotus. ^ Considering the awkwardness of this expression, and also the ren- dering of Rerausat's, "sandal mountains" (Loius^ p. 847), I think there is a misprint in the text. Vide Burn., Zoi., p. 847. 4G A CATENA OK liUDDHfST salt sea, 322,000 yojanas in breadth and depth, and the whole circuit 3,608,475 yojanas. All these mountains are immersed 8,000 yojanas below the sea, and rest on the golden wheel. ^ And now, having alluded to these seas, we may inquire what is the cause of the morning and evening tides ? The Avatamsaka Sutra says—" The palace of the Naga Eajah Sagara is in the midst of the sea, the water flowing through this palace assumes a deep blue colour, and as it enters or issues forth from the palace causes the fall and rise of the sea." Again, how is it that the countless Rivers which constantly pour their supplies into the Ocean do not cause it to over- flow ? The Avatamsaka says — ''There are four precious substances at the bottom of the sea, which absorb the con- tributions of the Rivers constantly flowing into the Ocean. Hence there is no increase or decrease in the water of the great Sea. The first precious substance is called Sun treasure great jewel, (Maharatna surya-garbha ?) the splendour of which is so great that wherever it reaches the water is con- verted into a milk-like substance. The second the great jewel Li-jun (Dispersing fatness) ; wherever the splendour of this reaches it converts the milky substance into curds. The third is called the great jewel Fo-in-kwong (brilHancy of fire), the splendour of which converts the curds into butter. The fourth is called the great jewel Tsin-wou-chu (no residue) ; wherever the splendour of this reaches it changes the butter into essential oil, and this disappears and leaves no residue, as it were by the action of fire." 1 The Sutras and Shasters differ somewhat in respect to these measure- ments. According to the Kosha, from the middle point of Mount Sumeru to the verge of its southern extremity is 40,000 yojanas. From this point across the seven golden mountains is 79,37.5 yojanas, and the seas the same, so that the whole radius would be 158,750 yojanas, and the diameter 317,500 yojanas. Again, the breadth of the Salt Sea is 322,312 yojanas, so that the whole diameter from north to south and from east to west is 1,042, 12-t yojanas. This is the measurement of the boundaries of the Sakwala. Ch. Ed. SCEIPTUEES FROM THE CHINESE. 47 Wliatj then, we may ask, is the cause of the salt taste of the sea water ? In answer to this, the Lau-Tan^ Sutra says — " There are three reasons for the saltness of sea water. 1. In the middle of the sea is a great fish, 28,000 li in length, its pollutions cause the salt taste. 2. When the world was being perfected (the sera of perfection) there fell a great rain from the Akanishta Heavens, which, washing away from the intervening worlds much impurity, carried all of it into the sea. 3. A long time ago a certain Rishi used his sorcery and caused the water to become salt." ON THE CAUSES OF EARTHQUAKES. 5. According to the Agama Sutras, Buddha declared that there were eight causes and occasions of earthquakes, 1 . The earth is placed on water, and the water on wind, and the wind on space. When the wind is agitated, then the great water is moved, and this shakes the earth. 2. The effect of the QTcat energy of the male and female disciples of Buddha and also of the great Deva (Maheshwara) acting on the waters. 3. When Bodhisatwa descends from the Tusita Heavens to be incarnated. 4. When Bodhisatwa is born from the right side of his mother. 5. When Bodhisatwa arrives at perfect enlightenment. 6. When Buddha begins to preach, by turning the Wheel of the Law, which neither Mara nor Yama nor Brahma nor any Shaman or Deva or man is able to turn. 7. When Buddha is about to bring his teaching to an end, and with undivided attention fixes his mind on the conclusion of his career. 8. When Tathagata enters on the perfect and unsurpassed condition of Nirvana. There are eight causes given by the Agama. Again, the Ava- tainsaka Sutra says — "Whenever Bodhisatwa delivers the Law the earth quakes six times." The Saddharma prakasa sasana Sutra says — " The wicked Dragons opposed to the Law, raising a great strife, put the vast sea in commotion, which is felt for a distance of several ' The Sanscrit name of this Sutra appears to be Pindadhaua. 48 A CATENA OF BUDDHIST hundred yojanas. Hence tlie earth, which rests on the sur- face of the waters, is shaken also." [Other reasons are assigned of a similar character.] ON THE LAND OF THE NAGA RAJAHS. 6. The Lau-Tan Sutra says—'' To the North of Mount Sumeru, und^r the waters of the Great Sea, is the Palace of Sagara Naga Rajah, in length and breadth 80,000 yojanas j it is surrounded by precious walls, a beautiful railing, garden and parks, adorned with every species of decoration." The Avatamsaka Sutra says — "In the midst of the Palace of the Naga rajah Sagara there are four precious gems, from which are produced all the gems of the Ocean. Here also is the Palace of Jambuketu,^ the Naga Raja's eldest son ; also the palace of Vasuki Naga Rajali,^ and eighty myriads of other Dragons, each having his separate palace. There are five sorts of Dragons: 1. Serpent-dragons; 2. Lizard-dragons; 3. Fish-dragons; 4. Elephant-dragons; 5. Toad-dragons. Sagara Naga Rajah, assuming the ap- pearance of Maheshwara, exerting his great strength, mightily assists all sentient creatures.