GREAT BELL OF RANG O OK 275 



NOTES. 



(') An Athenk'hye (Sanscrit, Asankhyeya) has the one hundred and 

 forty-first place from units. A mundane revolution, or Kaba, (Sanscrit, Kalpa,) 

 is a period of an indefinite, and vast number of years. 



C) " Atsiendeya," an attribute or perfection belonging only to a Bud'h, 



(0 <« 'Y\\Q five tyrants" — These are animal constitution, influence of natu- 

 ral operations, passion, mortality, and the most powerful evil Nat or demon. 



C*) " Forty.five years" — The period of Gautama's doctrinal ministra- 

 tions. He entered into holy orders at thirty-five, and died at the age of eighty 

 years. 



(5) " Maha Niekbana Ab'harapura," the region of annihilation. After 

 passing into which, according to theBud'hist doctrines, there can be no further 

 transmigration. The popular belief is, that Niekb^n (Sanscrit, Nirvan) is equally 

 exempt from joy and misery, and, in fact, the termination of existence. But 

 amongst the learned of the Burmese there is a difference of opinion on this sub- 

 ject; some agreeing with the vulgar belief, but others considering Niekban as a 

 place of perfect felicity. The latter, therefore, are not strict Budd'hists. It 

 is with reference to the popular doctrine that some images are represented 

 sleeping. There has been for several years a learned, but heretical teacher in 

 Shwetoung, a few miles below Prome, who has taught the doctrine, that death 

 is annihilation, and that transmigration is an absurdity. Those of his school 

 are not numerous. In fact, the fear of persecution operates powerfully 

 against an open and practical dissent from the popular faith. Religious con- 

 troversy, however, may be carried on, provided it do not endanger the estab- 



