Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1836-03-17

six states are represented as consisting oil
sensual pleasures which have been gained
by their inhabitants in consequence oil
their extraordinary merits during previous
existences. In the highest of these states,
the duration of life is 9, 2l6. 100000 years.
As, we ascend to the heavens Of the
Brahmas, the duration of life becomes too
great for computation These Is heavens
are situated in nine separate planes, sus-
pended one above another, at intervals OF
68, $780, 600 miles distant. Above them all
are the four invisible heavens, separated
from each other at similar distances. The
highest of them is at the immense distance
Of 800, 200,00O miles above the surface of
theearth. The descriptions of all these
states, in the Barmese scriptures, are very
stupendous as well. as circumstantial.-
Theyare represented in such colors as to
operate strongly on. the minds of the sim
pie Barmese, and to charm them into be-
lief Of their truth
Descending from man, the Barmese
reckon four states of punishment /,
brutesi 2, pyittas, a species of existences
that dwell in the mountains, some ofthem
having beautiful bodies, but mwardly con-
Stunning with secret fire, and enduring va
rious other kinds of torment: 3, athurakes,
which are nine miles high, with mouths
no larger than the eye Of a needle, and
constantly furnishing with hunger; 4,
hell, properly so called. which is situated
below the surface of the earth, and without
the boundary wall of the Sekya system
This place Of punishment consists of eight
primo lpal hells, which are arranged direct
Iy above each other, and differing as il re-
spects the duration and extent Of suffering.
These are described in the Barmese sacred
books with every horrible illustration of
torture and wretchedness which the inge-
nuity of man could devise. The duration
of punishment in the fl st or most tolera-
bic of these states, is l,62O0C00OO,0OO
years in the second IL, 900, O00,0 O0, 600 {;
in the sixth it rises above 1000 times this
period to the almost inconceivable period
Of 53,O84, l6O,OOo,00O,00O years; while
in the two lowest states, the duration of ex-
istence is altogether beyond computation
Notwithstanding all these terrible repre-
sensations, the fear Of punishment seems
generally to have little effect either upon
the heart or conduct
Through these 81 states, according to
the Barmese notion. all living existences
are constantly transmigrating. The des-
tiny of all depends on their previous merit.
Merit is acquired, and crime expiAted, by
suffering, as we'll as by good deeds. So
that there is constant round Of transmit
grafton the inhabitants of the lowest hell
rising by degrees toa sphere of enjoyment,
ana the occupants of the superior abodes
occasionally descending to their miserable
state. A being that existed as a Nat to-
day, may become a man, dog, or worm
tomorrow. Hence the Barmese consider
neigban, a term which they appear uni
versally to understand as meaning anmihi-
Lation, or cessation from the tedious
round of existence, as the most desirable Of
all states. Their deity, Buddh, or Coda
ma, like the numerous deities before him,
obtained this state after having suffered
almost endless transmigrations, and ages
upon ages Of punishment, in its various
FORMS The Barmese, however, cannot
be properly said to have any deity; since
Godama, during his life, is not supposed to
have been either the creator, the preserv-
er, or the punisher Of men, but only their
teacher and guide; nor did he possess the
power of comforting upon them happiness,
or canceling their sins; much less can he
perform the Offices of deity now that be
has become extinct The Barmese, how
ever, suppose that by worshipping his i'm
age, they pay the same homage 10 exalted
goodness, and obtain the same degree of
merit, that they would obtain if Godama
himself were alive 10 receive their adora-
tons
The geography (if such It may be call
ed) ofthe Barmese, is not less fanciful than
their ideas Of astronomy. Between the
Mynemo mountain and the other bounda-
~ wall ofthe system. is a vast expanse OF
ocean, 6,47l 900 miles in breadth. This
ocean derives lis color from that Of the
Myenmo mountain. The northern side
ofMynemo is pure gold, and the color Of
the northern ocean is yellow; the eastern
side is of silver, and the eastern ocean
white; the southern side of the mountain
is sapphire, and the southern ocean blue
the western side is glass, and the northern
ocean Of u corresponding color, Within
this ocean are four great islands or cont
nents The northern island is In the form
Of a circle, 100000 miles in diameter; on
this island the inhabitants live to the age
Of 10000 years. The great eastern isl
and is in the shape of a halfmoon; the
western is in the form Of rectangle, ll2,
500 miles in length. The southern, OIL
zambudipa island. upon which we live, il
no less than LIS, 900 mi:es in extent
,r Each of these four islands is surround
ed by 500 small islands. making in al
1000. The shape of every small islam: