willing, repairing to the court of Dhammâsóka, to escort hither the great bo-tree and the thérí Sanghamittá ? ” "Gracious lord, I am willing to bring these from thence hither; provided, on my return to this land, I am permitted to enter into the priesthood." The monarch replying, "Be it so deputed him thither. He, conforming to the injunction both of the théra and of the sovereign, respectfully took his leave. The individual so delegated, departing on the second day of the increasing moon of the month "assayuja," embarked at Jambókóla paṭṭana. Having departed, under the (divine) injunction of the thera, traversing the ocean, he reached the delightful city of Pupphapura on the very day of his departure.' 8. The princess Anulá, together with five hundred virgins, and also with five hundred of the women of the palace, having conformed to the pious observances of the 'dasasíla' order, clad in yellow garments, and strenuously endeavouring to attain the superior grades of sanctification, is looking forward to the arrival of the thérí to enter into the priesthood; 10leading a devotional life of piety in a delightful sacerdotal residence provided (for them) by the king in a certain quarter of the city (which had previously been the domicile of the minister Dóna). The residence occupied by "such pious (upásiká) devotees 12has become, from that circumstance, celebrated in Lanká by the name of 13 "Upásiká." 14Thus spoke Maháriṭṭha, the nephew (of Dévánampiya Tissa), announcing the message of the king as well as of the théra to Dhammâsóka; and added, "Sovereign of elephants! the consort of the brother of thy ally, the king (of Lapká), impelled by the desire of devoting herself to the ministry of Buddha, is unremittingly leading the life of a pious devotee. For the purpose of ordaining her a priestess, deputing thither the thérí Sanghamittá, send also with her the right branch of the great bo-tree." He next explained to the thérí herself the intent of the message of the théra (her brother Mahinda). The said thérí obtaining an audience of her father (Dhammâsóka), communicated to him the message of the théra. The monarch replied (addressing her at once reverentially and affectionately) : "My mother! bereaved of thee, and separated from my children and grandchildren, what consolation will there be left wherewith to alleviate my affliction." She rejoined, "Mahárájá, the injunction of my brother (Mahinda) is imperative; and those who are to be ordained are many; on that account it is meet that I should repair thither." The king (thereupon) thus meditated: 16" The great bo-tree is rooted to the earth: it cannot be meet to lop it with any weapon: by what means then can I obtain a branch thereof? " This lord of the land, by the advice of the minister Mahadéva, having invited the priesthood to a repast, thus inquired (of the high priest): "Lord! is it, or is it not, meet to transmit (a branch of) the great bó-tree to Lanká?" The chief priest, the son of Moggali, replied, "It is fitting that it should be sent "; and expounded to the monarch the five important resolves of (Buddha) the deity gifted with five means of perception. The lord of the land, hearing this reply, rejoicing thereat, ordered the road to the bo-tree, distant (from Páțaliputta) seven yójanas, to be swept, and perfectly decorated, in every respect; and for the purpose of having the "It is not meet to lop with any weapon the great bodhi tree," vase made collected gold. Vissakamma himself, assuming the character of a jeweller and repairing thither, inquired "Of what size shall I construct the vase?" On being told "Make it, deciding on the size thyself," receiving the gold, he moulded it (exclusively) with his own hand, and instantly perfecting that vase, nine cubits in circumference, five cubits in depth, three cubits in diameter, eight inches in thickness, and in the rim of the mouth of the thickness of the trunk of a full-grown elephant, he departed. The monarch causing that vase, resplendent like the meridian sun, to be brought; attended by the four constituent hosts of his military array, and by the great body of the priesthood, which extended over a space of seven yójanas in length and three in breadth, repaired to the great bo-tree; which was decorated with every variety of ornament; glittering with the variegated splendour of gems; decked with rows of streaming banners; laden with offerings of flowers of every hue; and surrounded by the sound of every description of music. Encircling it with this concourse of people, he screened (the bo-tree) with a curtain. A body of a thousand priests, with the chief thera (son of Moggali) at their head, and a body of a thousand inaugurated monarchs, with this emperor (Dhammâsóka) at their head, having (by forming an inner circle) enclosed the sovereign himself as well as the great bo-tree most completely, with uplifted clasped hands (Dhammásóka) gazed on the great bo-tree. While thus gazing (on the bo-tree) a portion thereof, being four cubits of the branch, remained visible, and the other branches vanished. Seeing this miracle, the ruler of the world, overjoyed, exclaimed, "I make an offering of my empire to the great bo-tree." The lord of the land (thereupon) invested the great bo-tree with the empire. Making flower and other offerings to the great bo-tree, he walked round it. Having bowed down with uplifted hands at eight places, and placed that precious vase on a golden chair, studded with various gems, of such a height that the branch could be easily reached, he ascended it himself for the purpose of obtaining the supreme branch. Using vermilion in a golden pencil, and therewith making a streak on the branch, he pronounced this confession of his faith: "If this supreme right bo-branch 3detached from this bo-tree is destined to depart from hence to the land of Lapká,* let it, self-severed, instantly transplant itself into the vase; "then indeed I shall have implicit faith in the religion of Buddha." The bo-branch, severing itself at the place where the streak was made, hovered over the mouth of the vase (which was) filled with scented soil. The monarch then encircled the branch with (two) streaks above the original streak, at intervals of three inches: from the original streak the principal, and from the other streaks minor roots, ten from each, shooting forth and brilliant from their freshness, descended (into the soil in the vase). The sovereign, on witnessing this miracle, (with uplifted hands) set up a shout, while yet standing on the golden chair, which was echoed by the 'Lit. "Surrounding himself and the great bodhi tree most completely with a body of a thousand priests who were the heads of fraternities, and with more than a thousand of kings who had received anointment, he gazed on the great bodhi with clasped hands. Then the (small) branches of its right branch vanished, leaving only portions of about four cubits and the stem thereof (adhering to the main trunk)." 2" made this solemn declaration and invocation": the Buddhistic Saccakiriyá partakes of the nature of both. 8 Dele. * Insert "and if my faith in the religion of Buddha be unshaken, then." surrounding spectators. The delighted priesthood expressed their joy by shouts of "sádhu," and the crowding multitude, waving thousands of cloths over their heads, cheered. Thus this (branch of the) great bo-tree established itself in the fragrant soil (in the vase) with a hundred roots, filling with delight the whole attendant multitude. The stem thereof was ten cubits high: there were five branches, each four cubits long, adorned with five fruits each. From the (five main) branches many lateral branches, amounting to a thousand, were formed. Such was this miraculous and delight-creating bo-tree. The instant the great bo branch was planted in the vase, the earth quaked, and numerous miracles were performed. By the din of the separately heard sound of various musical instruments-by the "sádhus" shouted, as well by dévas and men of the human world, as by the host of dévas and brahmas of the heavens-by the howling of the elements, the roar of animals, the screeches of birds, and the yells of the yakkhas as well as other fierce spirits, together with the crashing concussions of the earthquake, they constituted one universal chaotic uproar.3 From the fruit and leaves of the bo branch, brilliant rays of the six primitive colours issuing forth, illuminated the whole "cakkavála.” Then the great bo branch, together with its vase springing up into the air (from the golden chair), remained invisible for seven days in the snowy regions of the skies. The monarch, descending from the chair, and tarrying on that spot for those seven days, unremittingly kept up, in the fullest formality, a festival of offerings to the bo branch. At the termination of the seventh day, the spirits which preside over elements (dispelling the snowy clouds), the beams of the moon enveloped the great bo branch. The enchanting great bo branch, together with the vase, remaining poised in the cloudless firmament, displayed itself to the whole multitude. Having astounded the congregation by the performance of many miracles, the great bo branch descended to the earth. This great monarch, overjoyed at these various miracles, a second time made an offering of the empire to the great 'bo. Having thus invested the great bo with the whole empire, making innumerable offerings, he tarried there for seven days longer. On the fifteenth, being the full moon day of the bright half of the month "assayuja," (the king) took possession of the great bo branch. At the end of two weeks from that date, being the fourteenth day of the dark half of the month "assayuja," the lord of chariots, having had his capital fully ornamented, and a superb hall built, placing the great bo branch ia a chariot, on that very day brought it in a procession of offerings (to the capital). On the first day of the bright half of the month "kattika," having deposited the great bo branch under the great sal-tree in the south-east quarter (of Páțaliputta), he daily made innumerable offerings thereto. On the seventeenth day after he had received charge of it, its new leaves 'Lit. "Thus was this great bodhi tree endued with a fullness of beauty that entranced the mind." 2" manifested." The rendering of this passage is rather highly ornamented. 4" universe." 5"divers ways." • "At the end of the seven days all the snow-clouds, together with the sixcoloured rays, were absorbed into the great bodhi branch, which, resting on the vase and poised in the cloudless firmament, displayed itself unto all the people; and while divers miracles were yet being manifested, the great bodhi branch descended to the earth, astonishing the people greatly." * "bodhi." 91-87 8" eastern." L* sprouted forth simultaneously. From that circumstance also the monarch, o verjoyed, a third time dedicated the empire to the great bo-tree. The ruler of men, having thus finally invested the great bo branch with the whole empire, made various offerings to the said tree. (It was during the celebrations of these festivals that Sumaņa entered Pátaliputta to apply to Dhammâsóka for the relics).1 Thus was celebrated in the capital (appropriately called) "the city-of-thelake of flowers," enchanting the minds of dévas as well as men, this superb, preeminent, grand, bo branch processional-festival, graced by innumerable superb streaming banners (of gold and silver, and other pageantry). The eighteenth chapter in the Mahávapsa, entitled "The obtaining the great Bodhi Branch (by Dhammâsóka )," composed equally for the delight and affliction of righteous men. CHAPTER XIX. THE lord of chariots assigned for the custody of the great bo branch eighteen personages of royal blood, eighteen members of noble families, eight of the brahman caste, and eight of the 3seṭṭhi caste. In like manner, eight of each of the agricultural and domestic castes, as well as of weavers and potters; and of all other castes; as also nágas and yakkhas. This delighter in donations, bestowing vases of gold and silver, eight of each (to water the bo branch with), embarking the great bo branch in a superbly decorated vessel on the river (Ganges); and embarking likewise the high priestess Sanghamittá with her eleven priestesses, and the ambassador Ariṭṭha at the head (of his mission); (the monarch), departing out of his capital, and preceding (the river procession with his army) through the wilderness of Viñjhá, reached Támalitta on the seventh day. The dévas, nágas, and men (during his land progress) kept up splendid festivals of offerings (on the river), and they also reached (the port of embarkation) on the seventh day. The sovereign, disembarking the great bo branch on the shore of the main ocean, again made an offering of his empire. This delighter in good works having thus finally invested the great bo branch with the whole empire on the first day of the bright half of the moon in the month of "maggasira,” "thereupon he (gave direction), that the great bo branch, which was deposited (at the foot of the sal-tree), should be lifted up by the aforesaid four high caste tribes, (assisted) by the other eight persons of each of the other castes. The elevation of the bo branch having been effected by their means, (the monarch) himself descending there (into the sea) till the water reached his neck, most carefully deposited it in the vessel. Having thus completed the embarkation of it, as well as of the chief thérí with her priestesses, and the illustrious ambassador Maháriṭṭha, he made this 1 This must have been meant for a note made by the learned translator. 2 "Thus this excellent and pleasing (processional) festival of the great bodhi branch, radiant with the mingling of divers streaming banners, celebrated in Pupphapura ( the city of flowers '), became the means of expanding the hearts of dévas and men (as the sun doth the lotuses)." 3 Some MSS. read vessa = vaiṣya. * In the original, gopaka, ‘herdsmen'; taraccha, 'workers in precious metals '; kulinga, doubtful. ♪ "in order that it might be removed from thence (to the ship), raised the great bodhi, assisted by the (companies of) eight persons from the high caste families assigned for its service at the foot of the sála-tree (in Páțaliputta), and himself going down," address to them: "I have on three occasions dedicated my empire to this bo branch; in like manner, let my ally, your sovereign, as fully make (to it) an investiture of his empire." The Mahárájá having thus spoke, stood on the shore of the ocean with uplifted hands; and, gazing on the departing bo branch, shed tears in the bitterness of his grief. In the agony of parting with the bo branch, the disconsolate Dhammâsóka, weeping and lamenting in loud sobs, departed for his own capital. The vessel in which the bo-tree was embarked briskly dashed through the water; and in the great ocean, within the circumference of a yójana, the waves were stilled: 'flowers of the five different colours blossomed around it, and various melodies of music rung in the air. Innumerable offerings were kept up by innumerable dévas; (but) the nágas had recourse to their magical arts to obtain possession of the bo-tree. The chief priestess Sanghamittá, who had attained the 'sanctification of “abhiññá," assuming the form of the "supanna," terrified those nágas (from their purpose). These subdued nágas, respectfully imploring of the chief priestess, (with her consent) conveyed the bo-tree to the settlement of the nágas: and for seven days innumerable offerings having been made by the nága king, they themselves, bringing it back, replaced it in the vessel. On the same day that the bo-tree reached this land at the port of Jambúkola, the 3universally beloved monarch Dévánampiya Tissa having, by his communications with Sumaná sámanéra, ascertained the (approaching) advent (of the bo branch); and from the first day of the month of "maggasira," in his anxiety to prepare for its reception, having, with the greatest zeal, applied himself to the decoration of the high road from the northern gate (of Anuradhapura) to Jambúkóla, had (already) repaired thither. 66 While seated in a hall on the sea-beach, by the miraculous powers of the théra (Mahinda), he was enabled to discern (though still out of sight) the bo branch which was approaching over the great ocean. In order that the hall built on that spot might perpetuate the frame of that miracle, it became celebrated there by the name of the Samuddâsanna-sálá.6 Under the auspices of the chief théra, attended by the other théras, as well as the imperial array of his kingdom, on that very day, the nobly formed mahárájá, chanting forth in his zeal and fervour, "This is the bo from the bo-tree (at which Buddha attained buddhahood)," rushing into the waves up to his neck, and causing the great bo branch to be lifted up collectively by the sixteen castes of persons on their heads, and lowering it down, deposited it in the superb hall built on the beach. The sovereign of Lagká invested it with the kingdom of Lanká; and unto these sixteen castes, surrendering his sovereign authority, this ruler of men, taking on himself the office of sentinel at the gate (of the hall) for three entire days, in the discharge of this duty, made innumerable offerings. On the tenth day of the month, elevating and placing the bo branch in a superb car, this sovereign, who had by inquiry ascertained the consecrated places, escorting the monarch of the forest, deposited it at the Pácína (vihára ; and entertained the priesthood, as well as the people, with their morning meal. There (at the spot visited at Buddha's second advent) the chief théra Mahinda narrated, without the slightest omission, to this monarch, the triumph obtained over the nágas (during the voyage of the bo branch) by the deity gifted with the ten powers. Having ascertained from the théra the particular 'Insert "lotus." * Dele. "near unto." Insert "whose heart was set on the welfare of his people.' Insert" site of the." |