Page:A history of Chinese literature - Giles.djvu/126

 H4 CHINESE LITERATURE

the name of a trader who first founded a kingdom there :

"This country had originally no inhabitants; only devils and spirits and dragons lived in it, with whom the merchants of neighbouring countries came to trade. When the exchange of commodities took place, the devils and spirits did not appear in person, but set out their valuables with the prices attached. Then the merchants, according to the prices, bought the things and carried them off. But from the merchants going backwards and forwards and stopping on their way, the attractions of the place became known to the inhabitants of the neigh- bouring countries, who also went there, and thus it became a great nation. The temperature is very agree- able in this country ; there is no distinction of summer and winter. The trees and plants are always green, and cultivation of the soil is carried on as men please, without regard to seasons."

Meanwhile, the Indian Kumarajiva, one of the Four and 412 in dictating Chinese commentaries on the Budd- hist Canon to some eight hundred priests. He also wrote a shastra on Reality and Appearance, and translated the Diamond Sutra, which has done more to popularise Buddhism with the educated classes than all the material parts of this religion put together. Chinese poets and philosophers have drawn inspiration and instruction from its pages, and the work might now almost be classed as a national classic. Here are two short extracts :

(i.) " Buddha said, O Subhuti, tell me after thy wit, can a man see the Buddha in the flesh ?

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