A History of Indian Literature v2.c19.s3.t2.6

v2.c19.s3.t2.6

1. At the head of this collection stands the Khuddakapāṭha,² "the Short Recitals." This is a compilation of nine short texts which the novice must know before all others, and which are used in the Buddhist cult as a kind of Mantras or "prayers." It must remain an open question whether the collection was intended as a little hand-book for novices or as a "prayer-book." The first four pieces are quite short. No. 1 is the Buddhist confession of faith, No. 2 an enumeration of the ten commandments for monks, No. 3 a list of the 32 parts of the body, for purposes of meditation on the loathsomeness and perishableness of the human body, and No. 4 contains the "questions of the novice." In ten questions ("What is one? What is two?" etc.) and answers, after the manner of the Aṅguttaranikāya, it explains the most important Buddhist terms. The five remaining pieces are short Suttas, which, by their contents as well as the formula-like phrases and refrains, betray the liturgical purposes which they served. From the oldest times much importance has been attached in India to Maṅgalas, *i.e.*, all sorts of objects and ceremonies which are regarded as good omens or are supposed to bring good luck. Such Maṅgalas as good wishes, benedictions, feeding of Brahmans, garlands of flowers, music, singing, etc., were never missing at any sacrificial feast, marriage celebration, birth ceremony, and so on. In the Maṅgala-Sutta¹ (No. 5) Buddha teaches what he regards as the best Maṅgalas. We read, for instance: