A History of Indian Literature v2.c19.s3.t1.65

v2.c19.s3.t1.65

Whether, from the different methods by which certain points of the doctrine are treated in the Suttas, conclusions may be drawn as to their early or late composition—that must remain an open question.¹) For instance, the coarse presentation of the doctrine of Karman in Suttas Nos. 129 f., and 135 f., where the torments of hell are described with a minuteness which finds its counterpart in the descriptions of hell in the Purāṇas, may indicate a later date of composition. But it is also possible, that even in earlier times a more popular conception of the doctrine of Karman may have existed by the side of the purely philosophical one. The fact that the order already had a certain past history when the Majjhimanikāya was compiled, is indicated by a passage in No. 65, in which it is said that “formerly” there were fewer precepts and more monks, whereas “now” there are more precepts and fewer monks. The mention of the Yona-Kambojas in the Assalāyana-Sutta (No. 93) points to the existence of the Graeco-Bactrian Empire, that is, to the period shortly before Aśoka.