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LALITA VISTARA.
picious and amplified Sútra, the prime source of religion, and antidote to evil passions, which was propounded by former Tathagatas, for the good of generations past.' Thus addressed, the sage benignly listened to their entreaty, and, for the removal of the sins of Bodhisattvas, recited the excellent discourses of the Mahayana, to the utter overthrow of the denion of loveNamuchi. They, overwhelmed with delight and joy, rathed flowers in their ecstasy. Listen ye now, O Bhikshukas, to the same amplified Sútra, the prime source of religion, which former Tar thágatas propounded for the benefit of generations past."
NOTES.
1. Om. It is scarcely necessary to observe that this symbol of the Deity is an importation from the Brahmanic writings. The Jains have not only adopted it, but coined a new word (EM) to denote the female energy or efficient cause of the universe, Om being, according to them, a representative of God as quiescent and unconnected with the world. For the changes which Om has undergone in Bráhinanic writings, see my paper on the subject in the Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal, XXIV, p. 321.
2. Buddha-Buddhists believe that from time to time and after intervals of immeasurably long and distant periods (kalpas) meu of supe. rior intellect, by persevering virtue and unceasing meditation, attain perfect knowledge of universal truth, and proclaim it for the spiritual welfare of the world; but that after a period their instructions are aegleetod and lie dormant until revived by succeeding individuals. Numberless Buddhas have thus appeared, each undergoing the usual routine of devotion, attaining Buddhahood, and proclaiming the principles of the faith, which have always remained the same; for (say the Buddhists) as truth remains unchangeably the same, and each of these holy and wise men perceives the whole truth, the doctrines of each succes sive Buddha must necessarily be identical with those of his predeces sors. The last Baddha is accordingly made to preach (p. 4) only what his predecessors had already imparted to the world; and in this
