BUDHISM. 



106 



should almost have doubted that this were a doctrine of the 

 Budhist religion, were it not recorded in two Sutras (22) or 

 discourses of Budha, in the Sanyutta Mkaya, which forms a 

 part of the three Pitakas. On one occasion Suriya,-the God 

 of; the Sun is ; represented as being in great distress in 

 consequence of the efforts of Bahu to swallow him and his 

 residence. He invoked the aid of Budha, who rebuked 

 Bahu and commanded him to desist from his efforts. Bahu 

 became terrified, and trembling fled to the Asuralokaya. 

 The Sutra immediately preceding this states that the Moon 

 experienced a similar danger and called upon Budha for 

 helpj who delivered him from the power of Bahu. These 

 discourses, in addition to the one referred to concerning the 

 cause of earthquakes in the Anguttara Nikayo, shew the 

 incorrect nature of Budha's physical philosophy. On the 

 summit of Maha Meru, or 42,000 yoduns above the 03-ej>D 

 .©caodft^aao chatummaharajika heavens ^oE)^f3o£3 tawatinsa 

 is placed, and in succession, above each other, the heavens 

 ceo© yama, £T)8£D tusita, <£D®o«£o<563 nimmanarati, and 

 0(5&®®C5) 8c3E)<53^3. paranimmata wasawatti. (23) In this 

 world, and these six heavens, the pleasures of sense are enjoy- 

 ed, and either virtuous or vicious actions may be performed. 



The period of the life of man in this world is estimated 

 to be about 100 years, that of the gods of the heaven imme- 

 diately above the earth (chatummaharajika) is thus calculated ; 

 one day and night, are equal to 50 years of men : 360 of these 



(22.) The translation of the two suttras are found in the 

 " Friend," vol. IX, p. 228. 



(23.) See Wibhanga section of the Abhidamma Pitaka, also 

 Anguttara, 3rd Nipiita. 



