THE CAUSES OF DEPOPULATION
By Venerable Bhikkhu Bodhi.
Then a certain affluent brahmin approached the Blessed
One … and said to him:
“Master Gotama, I have heard older brahmins who are aged,
burdened with years, teachers of teachers, saying: ‘In the past this world was
so thickly populated one would think there was no space between people. The
villages, towns, and capital cities were so close that cocks could fly between
them.’ Why is it, Master Gotama, that at present the number of people has
declined, depopulation is seen, and villages, towns, cities, and districts have
vanished?”
(1) “At present, brahmin, people are excited by illicit
lust, overcome by unrighteous greed, afflicted by wrong Dhamma. As a result,
they take up weapons and slay one another. Hence many people die. This is a
reason why at present the number of people has declined, depopulation is seen,
and villages, towns, cities, and districts have vanished.
(2) “Again, at present people are excited by illicit
lust, overcome by unrighteous greed, afflicted by wrong Dhamma. When this
happens, sufficient rain does not fall. As a result, there is a famine, a
scarcity of grain; the crops become blighted and turn to straw. Hence many
people die. This is another reason why at present the number of people has
declined, depopulation is seen, and villages, towns, cities, and districts have
vanished.
(3) “Again, at present people are excited by illicit
lust, overcome by unrighteous greed, afflicted by wrong Dhamma. When this
happens, the yakkhas release wild spirits. Hence many people die. This is yet
another reason why at present the number of people has declined, depopulation
is seen, and villages, towns, cities, and districts have vanished.”
“Excellent, Master Gotama! … Let Master Gotama consider
me a lay follower who from today has gone for refuge for life.”
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