BUDHISM. 



103 



is established on air. When the air is agitated by storms 

 the water is violently shaken, and by this the earth trembles, 

 constituting an earthquake. The earth is 240,000 yoduns 

 in thickness, the water possesses a depth of 480,000 yoduns, 

 and the atmosphere on which the whole rests is 960,000 

 yoduns deep. (20.) The four great continents are very fre- 

 quently spoken of by Budha in his sermons. At the bottom 

 of the system eight principal hells, each accompanied by 

 16 subordinate hells, are situated. Under Maha Meru is the 

 Asura world. The Asuras were formerly Gods inhabiting 

 the summit of Maha Meru, but they gave way to intemper- 

 ance so as to become insensible, and Sakra (or Indra) with 

 his hosts, cast them down to the bottom of Maha Meru, 

 and occupied the conquered region. The Asuras (from cp, a, 

 negative, and eg, sura, gods) have frequently made war on 

 Indra in order to recover their lost possessions, but have in 

 every instance been ultimately defeated. Men, gods and 

 demons inhabit the earth and its atmosphere. The demons 

 are in many instances malignant and of horrid appearance, 

 while many others are beneficent and are devout Budhists. 



the wind on akasa or space. Ananda, whenever great wind blows 

 the waters shake ; when the water is shaken the earth shakes." 

 (20.) <^0e5C3€6Sie6Ssa«98«5S535^s3g«33'2Q9 , 6-63G5 ffi5o<a)K>(3<9 i «)S5eaes«> 



&«3§c3£> 6^3 05 ^<^©6scDese53^6e53^C3S»dta6s#3§*9. dwe satasassani 

 chattari nahutanicha ettakan bahalattena sankhatayan wasundhara 

 chattarisatasahassani attewanahntanicha ettekan bahalattena jalan 

 wate patbittitan. Tassapi san dhareko . Nawesatesahassani maluto 

 nabhemuggato sattinchewasahassani esa lokassa, santithi. " This 

 earth is 240,000 yojanas thick, the world of water which 

 rests on the world of wind is 480,000 yojanas thick, the world of 

 wind which rises on space is 960,000: this is the position of the 

 world ." ( Wisuddhimagga, and comment on Winnaya.)— See Note 18. 



