The Life or Legend of Gaudama, the Buddha of the Burmese (Volume II)Bigandet, Paul Ambroise
Religion
The Life or Legend of Gaudama, the Buddha of the Burmese (Volume II)
Bigandet, Paul Ambroise
Buddhism -- Burma; Burma -- Religion; Gautama Buddha
After the examination of the senses and of the eleven subjects just
related, we find the almost boundless field of inquiry to expand in
proportion as we appear to make rapid progress. Then come successively
for examination: 1. The ten _Kasaings_, or the ten parts or elements
to be found in each part of a living being, viz., earth, water, fire,
colour, odour, flavour, and grease, to which we add the _Dziwa_ or life,
and that of the organ to which belongs the part under consideration. 2.
The thirty-two _Akan_, or thirty-two parts of the living body, of which
the first are the hairs, the beard, the nails, the teeth, &c. 3. The
twelve _Ayatana_, or seats of the six senses. Each sense is double, as
far as it is considered in a double capacity, that of receiving and that
of transmitting the impressions. 4. The eighteen _Dat_, or matter of
the six senses. The organs afford six _Dat_; the objects that act upon
the organs supply six other _Dat_; and the last six are afforded by the
objects submitted to the action of the senses. 5. The twenty-two _indre_,
or faculties or capabilities of the organs. Each organ has three.
The eye, for instance, is capable of receiving an impression and of
transmitting it; the eye really receives and transmits impressions. The
_mano_, or heart, being a double organ, has six faculties; three if it
be considered physically, and three if morally or intellectually. 6. The
nine _Bon_, or seats occupied by the Brahmas. 7. The five _Rupa Dzan_,
or degrees of contemplation proper to the Brahmas who have a form. 8. The
four _Megga_, or ways that lead near to Neibban. They are followed by the
Brahmas occupying the four superior seats of _Rupa_. 9. The _Arupa Dzan_,
or contemplation proper to those who inhabit the four immaterial seats.
10. The nineteen _Damma_. This word means what we know as certain by the
use of our mental faculties. When the _mano_, by a right use of its three
faculties, has freed itself from the principle of illusion and error,
then there will be the sixteen virtues or good qualities, known by the
name of _Phola_ and _Megga_. 11. Finally, the twelve _Patan_, or elements
that are in the _mano_, which constitute the memory, and enable man to
remember, and silently repeat the impressions transmitted by the senses.
Such is the immense extent of observations the sage has to range for
obtaining the perfect science. This task is truly an Herculean one; very
few can perform it.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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