'Eight difficulties.' Eight circumstances in which it is difficult to see the Buddha or hear his teaching: （1） The condition of a hell-being; （2） Hungry ghost; （3） Animal; （4） In the long-life heavens （where life is long and easy）; （5） In Uttara-kuru （the northern continent where all is pleasant）; （6） As deaf， blind or dumb; （7） As a worldly philosopher; （8） In the intermediate time between the life of a Buddha and his successor.