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After a long time, a crust of
"savory earth"
spreads out on the
waters, and a greedy being tastes it and craves for it. This
primaeval act of desire is imitated by others, till the beings lose
their self-luminosity, become more solid and proud of their
appearance, and so eventually develop into two sexes. Their
environment is rich in food, but the more they
greedily gather in its bounty,
the less it gives. Eventually the idea of private
property develops, and theft, lying and violence come in its
train. By now recognizably human, the people then form a social
contract to choose a king who will rule over them and punish
wrong-doers. Thus goes the Buddhist account of a "fall," due to
greed and pride, and of the development of sexuality, human
beings, and society.
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