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attended. The théra named Mittiņņa, bringing1 sixty thousand priests from his fraternity of one hundred thousand at the Asóka temple at Pupphapura. The théra Uttinna, bringing from the Kasmíra country two hundred and eighty thousand priests. The great sage Mahádéva with fourteen lakhs and sixty thousand priests from Pallavabhogga ; and Mahá Dhammarakkhita, théra of Yóna, accompanied by thirty thousand priests from the vicinity of Alasadda, the capital of the Yóna country, attended. The théra Uttara attended, accompanied by sixty thousand priests from the Uttania temple in the wilderness of Vinjha. The mahá théra Cittagutta repaired hither, attended by thirty thousand priests from the Bódhimanda. The mahá théra Candagutta repaired hither, attended by eighty thousand priests from the Vanavása country. The mahá théra Suriyagutta attended, accompanied by ninety-six thousand priests from the Kélása vihára. The number of the priests of this island who attended is not specifically stated by the ancient (historians). From all the priests who attended on that occasion, those who had overcome the dominion of sin alone are stated to be ninety-six kótis.

These priests, leaving a space in the centre for the king, encircling the site of the cétiya in due order, stood around. The rájá, having entered that space, and seeing the priesthood who had thus arranged themselves, bowed down to them with profound veneration; and overjoyed (at the spectacle), making offerings of fragrant garlands, and walking thrice round, he stationed himself in the centre, on the spot where the "punnaghata" (filled chalice) was deposited with all honours. This (monarch), superlatively compassionate, and regardful equally of the welfare of the human race and of spirits, delighting in the task assigned to him by means of a minister, illustrious in descent and fully decorated for the solemn occasion, to whom he assigned a highly polished pair of compasses made of silver, pointed with gold, having at the place before mentioned prepared himself to describe the circle of the base of the great cétiya, by moving round (the leg of the compass; at that instant) the inspired and profoundly prophetic great théra, named Siddhattha, arrested the monarch in the act of describing (the circle), saying, "The monarch is about to commence the construction of a stupendous thúpa : at the instant of its completion he is destined to die: the magnitude also of the thúpa makes the undertaking a most difficult one." For these reasons, looking into futurity, he prohibited its being formed of that magnitude. The rájá, although anxious to build it of that size, by the advice of the priesthood, and at the suggestion of the théras, adopting the proposal of the théra (Siddhattha), under the direction of that théra described, for the purpose of laying the foundation bricks thereon, a circle of moderate dimensions. The indefatigable monarch placed in the centre

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7" caused a minister of noble descent, well attired, to hold the end of a fine rod of silver that was fitted into a gold pivot, and began to make him walk round therewith along the prepared ground, with the intent to describe a great circle to mark the base of the cétiya. Thereupon a great théra of great spiritual power, by name Siddhattha, who had an insight into the future, dissuaded the king, saying to himself, The king is about to build a great thúpa indeed; so great that while yet it is incomplete he would die: moreover, if the thúpa be a very great one it would be exceedingly hard to repair.'

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eight golden and eight silver vases, 1and encircled them with eight (silver) and eight (golden) bricks. He also deposited one hundred and eight new (earthen) vases, and around each of the eight bricks he deposited one hundred and eight pieces of cloths.

Thereupon by means of the especially selected minister, who was decorated with all the insignia of state, causing to be taken up one of those bricks, which was surrounded with all the pageantry of festivity, (the king) deposited it there on the eastern side, with the prescribed formalities, in the delicious fragrant cement formed out of the jessamine flowers which had been presented in offerings: and the earth quaked. The other seven bricks also he caused to be laid (severally) by seven state ministers, and 'celebrated great festivals. Thus those bricks were laid during the bright half of the month " Ásálhi," on the fifteenth day, when the moon attains its utmost plenitude.

The overjoyed monarch having in due order bowed down and made offerings to these mahá théras, victors over sin, at each of the four quarters at which they stood; repairing to the north-east point and bowing down to the sanctified mahá théra Piyadassi, stationed himself by his side. The said (mahá théra) on that spot raising the "jayamangala" chant, expounded to him (the monarch) the doctrines of the faith. That discourse was to that (assembled) multitude an elucidation (of those doctrines). Forty thousand lay persons attained the superior grades of sanctity; forty thousand attained the state sótápatti"; a thousandsakadágámi"; the same number "anágámi"; and a thousand also, in like manner, attained "arahatta." Eighteen thousand priests and fourteen thousand priestesses also attained the sanctification of arahatta."

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5 From this example (of Duṭṭha Gámaní) by the truly wise man, whose mind, in his implicit faith in the "ratanattaya," is bent on the performance of charitable actions, and who is devoted to the welfare of the human race, the conviction being firmly entertained that the advancement of the spiritual salvation of the world is the highest attainable reward; imbued by the spirit of faith and by other pious impulses, he ought zealously to seek that reward.

The twenty-ninth chapter in the Mahávansa, entitled "The Preparation for the (Construction of the) Thúpa," composed equally for the delight and affliction of righteous men.

1" and surrounded them with one thousand and eight fresh vases and with cloth in quantities of one hundred and eight pieces. He then caused eight excellent bricks to be placed separately (one in each of the eight quarters), and causing a minister, who was selected and arrayed in every manner for that purpose, to take up one that was marked with divers signs of prosperity, he laid the first auspicious stone in the fine fragrant cement on the eastern quarter; and lo! when jessamine flowers were offered thereunto, the earth quaked." 2" caused auspicious ceremonies to be performed over them." "attended with great benofit to the multitude."

"the knowledge of the law."

Õ** Seeing that the highest good of humanity is brought about by means of him whose mind delighteth in the Three Gems, and whose heart is inspired with a love of mankind and a spirit of self-sacrifice,-a man should cherish a love of faith and other virtuous impulses."

"The Commencement (of the Building) of the Thúpa."

CHAPTER XXX.

THE Mahárájá reverentially bowing down to the whole priesthood, thus addressed them: "Whatever the term of the period may be during which the cétiya will be in process of completion, (for that period) accept your maintenance from me." The priesthood did not accede to this (proposition). He then by degrees (reducing the term of this invitation) solicited them to remain seven days. Having succeeded in gaining their acceptance of the seven days' invitation from one-half of the priesthood, the gratified monarch causing edifices to be erected on eight different spots round the site of the thúpa, for the priests who had accepted the invitation, there he maintained the priesthood by the assignment of alms for seven days. At the termination thereof he allowed the priesthood to depart.

Thereafter, by the beat of drums, he expeditiously assembled the bricklayers they amounted to five hundred in number. One of them being asked by the king, "How much work canst thou perform?" he replied to the monarch, 2" I will in one day complete work sufficient to contain the earth drawn by a hundred men in carts." The rájá rejected him. Thereafter (each of the five hundred bricklayers) decreasing the quantity of work by half, at last they stated two" ammanans of sand. The four bricklayers (who gave this answer, also) the rájá dismissed. Thereupon an intelligent and expert bricklayer thus addressed the monarch: "I (will do the work of) one ammanan' of sand, having (first) pounded it in a mortar, sifted it in a sieve, and ground it on a grinding stone." On this offer being made, the ruler of the land, omnipotent as Sakka himself, being aware that on this thúpa no grass or other weed ought to be allowed to grow, inquired of him, " In what form dost thou propose to construct the cétiya?" At that instant Vissakamma (invisibly) came to his aid. The bricklayer, filling a golden dish with water, and taking some water in the palm of his hand, dashed it against the water (in the dish); a great globule, in the form of a coral bead, rose to the surface; and he said, "I will construct it in this form." The monarch, delighted, bestowed on him a suit of clothes worth a thousand, a splendid pair of slippers, and twelve thousand kahápanas.

In the night the rájá thus meditated: "How shall I transport the bricks without harassing labourers?" The dévas, divining the meditation, night after night brought and deposited at the four gates of the cétiya bricks sufficient for each day's work. The delighted monarch being informed of this (miraculous proceeding) commenced upon the construction of the cétiya; and caused it to be proclaimed, "It is not fitting to exact unpaid labour for this work." At each of the gates he deposited sixteen lakhs of kahápaņas; a vast quantity of cloths; food, together with beverage, served in the most sumptuous manner; garlands of fr grant flowers; sugar and other luxuries; and the five condiments used in mastication (and issued these directions :) "Having performed work according to their inclination, let them take

1" invited them: Be pleased to accept my alms until the cétiya is completed."" 2" I will exhaust, in one day (in my work), the earth drawn in a cart by a hundred men."

Add" (as so large a portion of earth mixed in the masonry would have the effect of producing trees in the edifice)."

4.4 inspired him."

5" like unto a ball of crystal."

these things according to their desire." Pursuant to these directions the royal servants, permitting the workmen to make their selection, distributed these things.

A certain priest, desirous of contributing his personal aid in the erection of this thúpa, brought a handful of earth prepared by himself (in the manner before described). Repairing to the site of the cétiya, and eluding the king's overseers (who had been enjoined to employ paid labourers only), delivered that (handful of earth) to a bricklayer. He, the instant he received it, detected (the difference).1 This evasion of the king's order being made known, it led to a disturbance. The king hearing of the affair, repairing to the spot, interrogated the bricklayer. (He replied)," Lord! priests are in the habit, holding flower-offerings in one hand, of giving me a handful of earth with the other : I am 3only able, lord, to distinguish that such a priest is a stranger, and such a priest is a resident person here; (but I am not personally acquainted with them)."

The rájá having heard this explanation, in order that (the bricklayer) might point out the priest who gave the handful of earth, sent with him a "balattha" (one of the messengers who enforce the authority of the king). He pointed out the (offending priest) to that enforcer of authority, who reported him to the rájá. The king (in order that he might fulfil his own vow of building the dágoba exclusively with paid labour, yet without compelling the priest to violate the rule that priests should never accept any reward or remuneration) had three jars filled with fragrant jessamine and mugreen flowers deposited near the bó tree ; and by the management of his messenger he contrived that they should be accepted by the priest. To the said priest who was standing there (at the bó tree), after having made an offering (of these flowers), without having discovered (the trick played), the messenger disclosed the same. It was then that the priest became conscious (that the merit of the act performed by him had been cancelled by the acceptance of these flowers).

A certain théra, the relation of the aforesaid bricklayer, resident at Piyangalla in the Kéliváta division, impelled by the desire of contributing towards the construction of the cétiya, and having ascertained the size of the bricks used there, and manufactured, such a brick, repaired thither; and, deceiving the superintendents of the work, presented the brick to the bricklayer. He used the same, and a great uproar ensued. The instant the rájá was informed of it, he inquired of the bricklayer, "Canst thou identify that brick?" Though he knew it, he replied to the king, "I cannot identify it." (The monarch) again asking, “ Dost thou know the théra?" thus urged, he said "I do." The monarch, that he might point him out, assigned to him a "balattha." The said messenger having identified (the priest) by means of him (the bricklayer), pursuant to the commands of the rájá, proceeded to the Kaṭṭhahála parivéņa, and sought the society of, and entered into conversation with, this théra. Having ascertained the day of the théra's intended departure, as well as his destination, he said, "I will journey with thee to thy own village." All these particulars he reported to the rájá, and the king gave him a couple of most valuable woollen cloths, with a thousand pieces; and having also provided many sacerdotal offerings,

1 Add" and suspected the priest from his manner."

2" The rumour spread gradually, and reached the ears of the king, who." not."

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sugar, and a "náli " full of scented oil, despatched him on this mission. He departed with the théra; and on the following day, at the Piyangallaka vihára, having seated the priest at a cool, shady, and wellwatered spot, presenting him with sugared water, and anointing his feet with the scented oil, and fitting them with the slippers, he bestowed on him the priestly offerings with which he was entrusted. "This pair of cloths and other articles belonged to a certain théra who is attached to me as if he were a son: accepting them from him, I now give them all to thee." Having thus spoke, and presented (the théra) with these things; 2to him who was departing, having accepted them, the "balattha," in the precise words of the king, delivered the royal message.

3 Many asankhyas of paid labourers, in the course of the construction of the thúpa, becoming converts to the faith, went to "sugati."4 The wise man bearing in mind that by conversion alone to the faith the supreme reward of being born in heaven is obtained, should make offerings also at the thúpa.

Two women who had worked for hire at this place, after the completion of the great thúpa, were born in the Távatiņsa heavens. 8 Both these (women), endowed with the merits resulting from their piety in their previous existence, calling to mind what the act of piety of that previous existence was, and preparing fragrant flowers and other offerings, descended (at a subsequent period) to this thúpa to make oblations. Having made these flower and other offerings to the cétiya, they bowed. down in worship.

At the same instant the théra Mahásíva, resident at the Bhátivaņka vihára, who had come in the night time, 10saying, "Let me pray at the great thúpa"; seeing these females, concealing himself behind a great sattapanni" tree, and stationing himself unperceived, he gazed on their miraculous attributes. At the termination of their prayers he addressed them thus: "By the effulgence of the light proceeding from your persons the whole island has been illuminated. By the performance of what act was it that from hence ye were transferred to the world of the dévas? These dévatás replied to him: The work performed by us at the great thúpa." Such is the magnitude of the fruits derived from faith in the 12successor of former Buddhas !

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13 As by the bricklayers the thúpa was successively raised three times to the height of the ledge on which the flower-offerings are deposited, (on each occasion) the inspired (théras) caused (the edifice) to sink to the level of the ground. In this manner they depressed (the structure) altogether nine times. Thereupon the king desired that the priesthood might be assembled. The priests who met there were eighty thousand. The rájá repairing to the assembled priesthood, and making the usual offerings, bowed down to them, and inquired regarding the sinking of the masonry. The priesthood replied, "That is brought about by the

1" These priestly articles were bought by me for a certain théra who is attached to me, and this couple of cloths for my son."

2" and having bowed unto him who had accepted them, and departed." "A great number."

866 only taking a delight in Buddha."

Add" (as the following story will illustrate)."

4" heaven."

766 (died), and."

10

to worship the great thúpa."

Insert" After the completion of the great thúpa both, " &c.

• Dele.

11 44

12

worship."

Tathágata (the successor of former Buddhas ')."

13 "No sooner were the three ledges for laying offerings of flowers built up with bricks and raised, than the théras, who were endued with spiritual power."

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