BUDHISM. 



97 



similitude : If there be a solid rock forming a cube of a yo- 

 dun (about 14 miles) and a delicately formed shawl (10) should 

 brush against it once in 100 years, the rock by the contact 

 would be gradually worn away : but the calpa would not in 

 that time be completed. All large measures of length are 

 computed by yoduns: thus 4 Singhalese C8i.£»i«5j© hetekma, 

 or miles form a gow, or league, and as the hetekma is less 

 than an English mile, the gow or league may be about 

 miles; 4 of these, or about 14 miles, constitute a yodun.(ll.) 

 The universe comprises an infinite number of systems or 

 Sakwalas : each complete in itself, having its own sun, moon 

 and stars, and its own heavens and hells. (12.) The Sakwala 

 with which we are connected is surrounded by an immense 

 rocky circle, which is in height 82,000 yoduns or more than 



Wapasameti, tatiyajjhanene, pitin wirajety. Chatuttajjhanene 

 Sukha dukkhan pahayati." The first Jhana elevates the window of 

 mental impediment; the second Jhana calms the smoke of investi- 

 gation, and research; the third Jhana frees from pleasure; and the 

 fourth Jhana removes both pleasure and pain. (See Sumangala- 

 wilasiny § and Ma no rathe p 66 reney . ) 



(10.) " There is a species of cloth, fabricated at Benares of the 

 cotton that is unequalled in the delicacy of its fibre. Its worth, 

 previous to its being used, is unspeakable; after it has been 

 used it is worth 30,000 nilakarshas (of the value of 20 



or 30 small silver coins) and even when old it is worth 12,000 

 karshas. Were a man to take a piece of cloth of this most delicate 

 texture, and therewith to touch in the slightest possible manner, 

 once in a hundred years, a solid rock, free from earth, a yojana 

 high, and as much broad, the time would come when it would be 

 worn down, by this imperceptible trituration, to the size of a mung 

 or undu seed. This period would be immense in its duration; but 

 it has been declared by Buddha that it would not be equal to a 

 Maha Kalpa." (Manual of Buddhism, page 1.) 



(11. J As to the exact size of a yojana it is not agreed. It is 

 more than 10 and less than 16 miles ; 14 miles is the nearest. 



(12.) Goutama does not directly teach Physical geography, but 

 in defining certain expressions we are able to gather his views on 



o 



