BUDDHISM. 1 57 



this caused a speedy declension ; the others were however more 

 wary and successful. 



At the conclusion of the Was season, Bhagawa informed 

 Weranja of his intention to depart, and went to various cities 

 and provinces. It is difficult to surmise as to what could have 

 been the purpose of inserting the above mentioned matters in 

 the commencement of the book, as they appear to have no con- 

 nection with the name nor general subjects therein contained, 

 I have thought it possible, that Bhagawa, if the order of the 

 subjects may be ascribed to him, from the brief mention of 

 former Buddhas having promulgated, some at the proper time 

 and some prematurely, their laws and discipline, wished to 

 intimate that his system could not be declared till the fit 

 opportunity had arrived. 



"We next come to the subject matter of the book, the four 

 Parajikas; and first in order is the Methuna Dhamma Para- 

 jika. This commences with an interesting story of Sudinna, 

 the only son of a wealthy Chetty who became a Bhikkhu, re- 

 linquishing his possessions, and forsaking his wife before she 

 had any child. Shortly after he was very much persuaded by 

 his relatives to come and dwell with them again as a layman ; 

 but being invincible on this matter, they requested that he 

 would only cohabit with his former wife, so as to preserve the 

 family name and possessions from extinction. After much 

 persuasion, he thus far consented, and in due time a child was 

 born; but the whole course of nature was disturbed at the deed, 

 and the gods of the upper and lower worlds were greatly moved. 

 Sudinna was called into the presence of Bhagawa, and severely 

 reprimanded, but he endeavoured to excuse himself because the 

 injunction prohibiting cohabitation with women had not yet 

 been delivered. Bhagawa then reminded him that there was 

 the Dhamma in existence condemning evil desire, hatred, and 



