Dictionary of Pali Proper Names v2.c29.486

v2.c29.486

Sometimes only one Buddha is born in a kappa, such a kappa being called Sārakappa; sometimes two, Maṇḍakappa; sometimes three, Varakappa; sometimes four, Sāramaṇḍakappa; rarely five, Bhaddakappa.²² No Buddha is born in the early period of a kappa, when men live longer than one hundred thousand years and are thus not able to recognize the nature of old age and death, and therefore not able to benefit by his preaching. When the life of man is too short, there is no time for exhortation and men are full of kilesa. The suitable age for a Buddha is, therefore, when men live not less than one hundred years and not more than ten thousand. The Bodhisatta must first consider the continent and the country of birth. Buddhas are born only in Jambudīpa, and there, too, only in the Majjhimadesa (q.v.). He must then consider the family; Buddhas are born only in brahmin or khattiya families, whichever is more esteemed during that particular age. Then he must think of the mother: she must be wise and virtuous and her life must be destined to end seven days after the Buddha's birth.