ABSTRACT
A t the conclusion of the synod, Samputa-kami and several of the most distinguished members of the Buddhistic as sembly, astonished at the progress of schism and dissen sion which the united voices of seven hundred religious had not been able entirely to root up, endeavoured to divine, as far as human wisdom could reach, what would be in after times the fate of religion. They foresaw that one hundred and twenty years hence there would be at Pataliputra a mighty ruler full of love for religion, and zealous for its propagation, who would do much to pro mote its exaltation. But before the reign of that pious monarch they saw distinctly that there would appear many heretics, fond of their own will, coining doctrines of their own invention, and that they would thereby inflict the most serious harm on religion. They had, how ever, the consolation to know that this was to come to pass after their death. But who was the fortunate being who was destined to check effectually the coming evil? They saw him in one of the seats of Brahmas. His name was Teissa. In due time he would come down to
the seat of man, operate his incarnation in the womb of a pounha female, named Maugali, and would afterwards become a famous religious under the name Mauggalipatta. This vision filled their souls with the purest joy, which was increased by the view of the expansion and develop ment which religion would receive through the zeal of that great personage.
