• Paccantajanapada

In the texts contrast is often drawn between the Paccantajanapada and the Majjhimadesa. In the latter the fortunate ones are born, and it is a great disadvantage to be born outside it; for, then, the possibilities of hearing of the Buddha and his teaching become remote (E.g., DhA.iii.248, 489; KhpA.133).

The boundaries of the Majjhimadesa are given in several places, and the Paccantajanapada, lies beyond these boundaries. They are: in the east, Kajangala and Mahāsālā; in the south east, the river Salalavatī; in the south, Setakannikā; in the west, Thūna; and in the north, Usīraddhaja (pabbata) (Vin.i.197; J. i.49; cp. Dvy.21f).

The Vinaya rules were relaxed in the case of those who lived in the Paccantajanapada, where it is said that the Buddha never spent a night. MA.ii.982.