]
[Footnote 3: Mugalan, the Singhalese name of this disciple, is more
pronounceable. He also was one of the principal disciples, called
Buddha's "left-hand attendant." He was distinguished for his power of
vision, and his magic powers.]
[Footnote 4: The different parts of the tripitaka.]
[Footnote 5: The bhikshunis are the female monks or nuns, subject to the
same rules as the bhikshus, and also to special ordinances of
restraint.]
[Footnote 6: The Sramaneras are the novices, male or female, who have
vowed to observe the Shikshapada, or ten commandments.]
[Footnote 7: The eldest son of Sakyamuni by Yasodhara. Converted to
Buddhism, he followed his father as an attendant; and after Buddha's
death became the founder of a philosophical realistic school
(vaibhashika). He is now revered as the patron saint of all novices, and
is to be reborn as the eldest son of every future Buddha.]
CHAPTER XVII
~Legend of the Trayastrimsas Heaven~
From this they proceeded southeast for eighteen yojanas, and found
themselves in a kingdom called Sankas'ya, at the place where Buddha
came down, after ascending to the Trayastrims'as heaven [1], and there
preaching for three months his Law for the benefit of his mother [2].
Buddha had gone up to this heaven by his supernatural power, without
letting his disciples know; but seven days before the completion of the
three months he laid aside his invisibility, and Anuruddha [3], with his
heavenly eyes, saw the World-honored one, and immediately said to the
honored one, the great Mugalan, "Do you go and salute the World-honored
one," Mugalan forthwith went, and with head and face did homage at
Buddha's feet.
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