English
In the ages preyions to the present Maha Bhadra kalpa, a kela^laksha of worlds was destroyed by fire, in which destruction the Great Earth was included, and all the worlds in each sakwala from the Ajat&kdsa to the sixth brahma-16ka, Abhassara; so that the whole space was void, like the inside of a drum. But by the united merit of all sentient existence, the rain called Samartthakara, (or Sampattikara)* M6gha, began to fall. The drops were at first in size like a grain of rice, then gradually increasing in mngnitude they became large as a needle, an arrow, a bamboo, an areca, a palm, four miles, and eight miles, until as much space as is occupied by a kela-laksha of worlds was entirely inundated. Then, by the same power, a wind was brought into existence, which agitated this mighty ocean, until the whole was evaporated, with the exception of that which composes the seas of the earth and the world of waters under the earth. At this time the whole space was enveloped in dark- ness. The monarchs of the brahma-16kas, coming to see whether the lotus was formed that indicates whether a supreme Bndha will appear in the same kaJpa or not, dispersed the darkness in an instant ; when they beheld five fiowers, with five sets of priestly requisites near them ; by which they knew that the kalpa would be honoured by the presence of five Budhas. Then taking the five robes, alms-bowls, <fcc., they returned to their respective I6kas. * '* Janirddano, in the person of Budra, hsring consumed the whole world, breathes forth heavy clouds ; and those called SaniTartta, resembling ▼ast elephants in bulk, overspread the sky, roaring and darting lightnings." — WDson's Vishnu Parana. P 66 A MANUAL OF BUDHISM. On the destrtLction of the previons worlds, the beings that in- habited them, and were in the possession of merit, received birth in the Abhassara brahma-ldka ; and when their proper age was expired, or their merit was insnfiScient to preserve them any longer in a superior world, they again came to inhabit the earth. It was by the apparitional birth they were produced ; and their bodies still retained many of the attributes of the world from which they had come, as they subsisted without food, and could soar through the air at will ; and the glory proceeding from their persons was so great that there was no necessity for a sun or a moon. Thus, no change of seasons was known ; there was no difference between night and day ; and there was no diversity of sex. Throughout many ages did the brahmas thus live, in all happiness, and in mutual peace.* There was afterwards the formation, upon the surface of the earth, of a peculiar substance like the scum thafc arises upon the surface of boiled milk ; but it was free from all impurity, ss the virgin honey in the cell of the bee. This attracted the attention of one of the brahmas, who took up a little of the substance with his finger, and applied it to his mouth ; but as ita taste was most delightfol, it excited the wish for more ; and a principle of evil was now first manifested among the beings of the earth, who had hitherto kept them- selves pure. The other brahmas soon began to follow this example ; by which the glory proceeding from their persons was extinguished, and it became necessary that a sun and moon, and other shining bodies, should be brought into existence. The whole of the brahmas assembled together ; and after ex- pressing to each other their regret for the loss of the privileges they had once enjoyed, they determined upon forming a sun. By the power of their united karma this was effected ; and the shining body thus produced was called sdrya, from sura, might, and wirya, energy. The name of Sun-day was given to the day upon which this luminary was formed. Before the assembly had dispersed, the sun went down, leaving the brahmas again in • " The beings who were created by Brahm4, of the four castes, were at first endowed with righteousness and perfect faith ; thej abode whererer they pleased, unchecked by any impediment ; their hearts were free from guile ; they were pure, made free from soil, by observance of sacred institutes. In their sanctified minds Hari dwelt ; and they were filled withperfect wisdom, by which they contemplated the glory of Vishnu." — Wilson's Vishnu Pur&na. m. PRIMITIVE INHABITANTS OF THE EABTH. 67 darkness, which led them to resolve that another light shonld be formed. By their nnited karma the moon was then produced ; and thej called it chanda, from channa, thought or determina- tion, because they had determined upon forming it, when the sun went down. To this day they gave the name of Monday. Upon the five subsequent days, they caused the five planets to appear in order, viz., Kuja, Bndha, Guru, Sekra, and Sasni ; and to these days respectively they gave the names of the planets thus formed. When the brahmas had been long accustomed to eat the terrene production, their skins became coarse ; and the com- plexion of one was light, whilst that of another was dark. This produced pride and contention, by which the substance was deprived of its delicious flavour, and in time entirely dis- appeared. But in its stead there arose a kind of fnugus, in taste like cream mingled with butter, by subsisting upon which the difference in their complexions was increased, in proportion as the brahmas partook of it with more or less avidity. In process of time, the fungus also disappeared, and was followed by a climbing plant called badaUtd, after which rice of a superior kind was produced. It was pure as a pearl, and had no outward pellicle. As much as sufi&ced for the day was formed in the morning ; and at night, when the evening meal was wanted, it was again renewed. By subsisting upon the rice, the apertures of the body were produced, and the generative powers were developed ; which led to passion and sexual intercourse.* But those who had preserved their purity reproached those who had indulged their passion, and drove them from the community ; by which the banished brahmas were led to build houses as places of concealment and privacy. They then became too indolent to fetch each meal as it was wanted, and accordingly at one journey brought away as much rice as sufficed for many days. By degrees an outer integument was formed upon the grain, then a coarse husk, and at last, when it had been cut down it was not renewed. This loss occasioned the necessity of setting limits to * Bardesanes in the second century taught, that the inhabitants of the world came out of the forming hand of God pure and incorrupt, endued with subtil, ethereal bodies and spirits of a celestial nature. But when in process of time, the prince of darkness had enticed men to sin, then the Supreme Qod permitted them to fall into sluggish and gross bodies, formed of corrupt matter bj the eril principle. — Mosheim, Eccles. Hist. F 2 68 A MANUAL OF BUDHISM. the places where it grew, that each one might know his own portion. Bat some of the brahmas became discontented with what they received as their share ; and coveting the property of others, they began to make agg^ssions, and commit theft. Thas arose the want of some administration, by which the law- less conld be restrained; as some of the brahmas pelted the parloiners with sticks, whilst others beat them with dnbs. Then the brahmas once more assembled, and said to one of their nnmber, '' From this time forth thon shalt be the terror of the wrong-doer, that evil may be eradicated ; and we will give thee a portion of onr grain for snpport." By the suffrages of all present this individual was elected to be the supreme ruler ; on which account he was called Sammata (the appointed, or the elect). From the power he exercised over the cultivated lands, khettani, he was called a khattiyo, or kshatriyd,* and his descendants retained the same appellation. Thus the royal race, or the caste of warriors, was produced. Among the brahmas there were some who, on observing the acts of insubordination that were committed by the wicked, thought within themselves that it would be proper to suppress their impious proceedings ; on which account they were called brahmand, suppressors. There were others again who built habitations, and became skiliul in the arts, by which wealth is acquired, on which ac- coant they were called wess4; and from them origrnated the waisyas, or caste of merchants.