§§ 10-20 follow with ten other groups in each of which the principal personal names are given. There is another list of gods in the Âtânâțiya (No. 32 in the Dîgha). This other list also begins with the four Great Kings; and then adds, as a sort of afterthought or appendix, the names of forty-one gods, all mentioned one after another, without division into groups, and without any details. Our §§ 10-20 look very much like an improved and enlarged edition of the bare list in the Âtânâtiya. The latter is just such a mnemonic doggrel as was found useful in other cases also by the early Buddhists, who had no books, and were compelled to carry their dictionaries and works of reference in their heads. There are other instances in Pâli literature of the original mnemonic verses, and their subsequent expansion, having both been preserved. As the contents of the two lists, and their great importance for the history of religion in India, have been discussed elsewhere, it is only necessary here to remind the reader that when these Suttantas were composed the names they contain were full of meaning to the people; and that the legends here told were intended to counteract the animistic delusions about them then so prevalent in the Ganges valley. They are almost the only evidence we have as yet outside the priestly books. Perhaps the most important fact to which they bear testimony is the continual change in animistic belief that went on in India. They are of especial value, as they show what those beliefs were at a particular period. We shall not be able to have a scientific history of religion in India until the absurd anachronisms of the classical Sanskrit literature have been discarded; and until we have learnt carefully to distinguish between the divers faiths and gods which, in those books, are mixed up together, and supposed to have remained the same for many centuries on end. [XX. MAHA-SAMAYA SUTTANTA. THE GREAT CONCOURSE.] 1. [258] Thus have I heard. The Blessed One was once dwelling among the Sâkiyas, at Kapilavatthu in the Great Wood, together with a great band of the brethren, about five hundred of them, all being Arahants. And gods from the ten thousand worldsystems oft-times assembled there that they might visit the Exalted One and the band of brethren. 2. Now to four gods of the hosts of the Pure Abodes this thought occurred:- That Blessed One is now dwelling among the Sâkiyas, at Kapilavatthu in the Great Wood, together with a great band of the brethren, about five hundred of them, all being Arahants. And gods from the ten thousand world-systems oft-times are assembling there to see the Exalted One and his band of brethren. What if we, too, were to go into his presence, and before him were to recite each of us a poem ?' 3. Then those gods, as easily as a strong man might stretch out his arm, or draw back his out-stretched arm, [254] vanished from the Pure Abodes, and appeared before the Exalted One. There they saluted him and stood on one side. And so standing one of the gods recited to the Blessed One this verse :— 'Great is the gathering in the glade! The hosts of heaven together met! We too are come unto this congress blest, and fain would see The Company Invincible.' Then another god recited to the Exalted One this verse : The brethren there, wrought up to concentration rapt make straight their hearts, Wisely, as driver keeping grip on rein, their faculties they guard.' Then another god recited to the Exalted One this verse: ́All bars and bolts åre hewn in twain for them, ✅ | The threshold is dug up.1 In purity, their way they go, Stainless, with vision clear, like well-tamed elephants.'y, [255] Then the other god recited to the Exalted One this verse :— 'Who in the Buddha refuge take, they shall not go to woeful doom. When they put off this human frame they shall fill fup the hosts in heaven.for stice I don. 4. Then said the Exalted One to the brethren: Oft-times, brethren, do gods from the ten worldsystems foregather to see the Tathagata and the company of the Brethren. Whosoever, brethren, in the past were Arahant Buddhas supreme, upon them waited a like number of the heavenly hosts, and a like number shall wait upon whosoever shall, in the future, be Arahant Buddhas supreme. I will detail to you, brethren, the names of the hosts of gods, I will publish abroad, brethren, their names, I will teach you, brethren, their names. Hearken hereunto, and pay heed, and I will speak.' 'Even so, lord,' responded the brethren. And the Exalted One spake thus: 5. 'In measured speech I will give utterance :- Sit with heart throughly purged and well com- 1 "The bars and stupidity eir uncloret nd hindering threshold stone of lust, ill-will Like to so many lions crouching still, Are vanquishers over the creeping dread, White-minded, pure, serene and undefiled. [256] Seeing within Kapilavatthu's grove Five hundred such and more, disciples all, To them who loved his word the Master spoke : "Celestial hosts draw nigh! 6. Look to it, brethren, that ye them discern!" And lo! in them Arose vision of those not born of men. Some saw one hundred gods, ten hundred, some, And all their sight and seeing He Who Sees Then to his followers who loved his Word 7. Seven thousand Yakkhas of our country's soil Six thousand Yakkhas from Himalaya, 1 The connexion of the various clauses of this stanza is obscure ; and the interpretations of the native scholars differ. We have followed the version of the Colombo Sannaya of 1891. Samarasekhara's translation (Col. 1905) takes the assitâ in line 1 to refer to the Arahants. Buddhaghosa's commentary may be understood either way. All agree in referring ñatvâ in line 5 to the Buddha. Yassassino, glossed here by Buddha pannâ, and later, in this Suttanta, by yase rivârasamgatâ. And comeliness and splendid following, From Sâta's Hill three thousand Yakkhas more, 8. [257] Five hundred more from Vessâmittâ's host, |