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That

beverage, as well as from the offerings brought from other quarters, presented refreshments to the lord of the universe and his disciples. In the afternoon that monarch bestowed on the vanquisher, who was thus seated on this very spot, the pleasure garden Mahátittha, worthy dedication. At the instant this Mahátittha garden, embellished with (even) unseasonable flowers, was accepted of by the Buddha, the earth quaked. The said (divine) ruler taking his seat here, 1propounded his doctrines. Forty thousand inhabitants attained the sanctification of maggaphalan.' The vanquisher, having enjoyed his forenoon rest in the Mahátittha garden, in the afternoon repaired to this spot worthy of the reception of his bó tree. Here seated, that supreme Buddha indulged in the samádhi meditation. Rising therefrom he thus resolved: 'For the spiritual welfare of the inhabitants of this land, let the chief théri Rájanandá, together with her retinue of priestesses, repair hither, bringing with her the right branch of my sirísa bó tree (obtaining it from Khéma-rájá at Khémavatinagara in Jambudípa).' The thérí becoming (by inspiration) acquainted with this resolve, thereupon accompanied by the monarch (Khéma), approached that tree. supernaturally gifted king, with a vermilion pencil having made a streak on the right branch, she (the thérí), taking possession of that bó branch, which had severed itself from the tree and planted itself in a golden vase, brought it hither by miraculous means, attended by her retinue of priestesses and surrounded by dévatás, and placed the golden vase in the extended right hand of the supreme Buddha. This successor of former Buddhas receiving the same, bestowed it on king Abhaya, for the purpose of being planted in the pleasure garden Mahátittha. The monarch planted it accordingly. This Buddha, a divine successor of former Buddhas, departing from thence to the northward thereof, and taking his seat in the courtyard of Sirísa,' propounded his doctrines to the populace. There (also), O king (continued Mahinda), twenty thousand persons obtained the blessings of the faith. Proceeding thence further northward, the vanquisher, taking his seat at (the site of the) Thúpáráma dágoba, and having indulged in the samádhi' meditation there, rousing himself from that abstraction, the supreme Buddha propounded his doctrines to the attendant congregation; on that occasion also ten thousand human beings attained the sanctification of maggaphalan.' Having bestowed his own dhammakaraka' (drinking vessel) as an object for worship on the people, and establishing the priestess with her retinue here; leaving also here his disciple Mahádéva, together with his thousand sacerdotal brethren, (he repaired) to the south-east thereof; and standing on the site of the Ratanamála square, the said vanquisher, having preached to the people, together with his retinue, departed through the air to Jambudípa.

6

"The second divine teacher, the comforter of the whole world, the omniscient supreme deity in this kappa, was named Kónágamana. The capital, then called Vaḍdhamána, was situated to the southward, and this Mahámégha pleasure garden was called then Mahánáma. The reigning sovereign there, at that period, was known by the name of Samiddha, and this land was then designated Varadípa.

"Here in this island a calamity arising from a drought then prevailed. The said vanquisher Kónágamana observing this visitation, impelled by motives of compassion, for the purpose of1 effecting the conversion of its inhabitants and the establishment of his faith in this land, 2(after) having subdued this calamity, accompanied by thirty thousand of his sanctified disciples, having repaired hither, stationed himself on the summit of Sumanakúța (Adam's Peak).

"By the providence of that supreme Buddha that drought instantly ceased; and during the whole period of the prevalence of his religion seasonable rains fell.

Ruler of men (continued Mahinda, addressing himself to Dévánampiya Tissa)," the lord of munis, himself the mahá-muni, stationing himself there, thus resolved: Let all the inhabitants of this land Varadípa this very day see me manifested. Let also all persons who are desirous of repairing to me repair instantly (hither) without encountering any impediment.' The sovereign and the inhabitants of the capital, observing this divine sage, resplendent by the rays of his halo, as well as the mountain illuminated (by his presence), instantly repaired hither. The people having resorted there for the purpose of making' bali' offerings, they imagined that the ruler of the universe and his sacerdotal retinue were dévatás.

The king (Samiddha), exceedingly rejoiced, bowing down to this lord of munis and inviting him to take (refreshment), conducted him to the capital; and the monarch, considering this celebrated spot both befitting as an offering and convenient as a residence for the muni and his fraternity, caused to be constructed, in a hall erected by him, superb pulpits for the supreme Buddha and his attendant priests.

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The inhabitants of the land, seeing this lord of the universe seated here with his sacerdotal retinue, brought offerings from all quarters. The king, from his own provisions and beverage as well as from the offerings brought from all quarters, presented refreshments to the lord of the universe and his disciples.

"In the afternoon he bestowed on the vanquisher, who was seated on this very spot, the pleasure garden (then called) Mahánáma,—a worthy dedication. At the instant that this Mahánáma garden, embellished by (even) flowers out of season, was accepted of, the earth quaked. Here, the said divine ruler taking his seat, expounded his doctrines; and thirty thousand inhabitants attained the sanctification of magga phalan.'

6

"The vanquisher, having enjoyed his forenoon rest in the Mahánáma garden, in the afternoon repairing to this spot where the preceding bó tree had been planted, indulged the samádhi' meditation. Rising therefrom, the supreme Buddha thus resolved: For the spiritual welfare of the inhabitants of this land let the chief thérí Kanakadattá, together with her retinue of priestesses, repair hither, bringing with her the right branch of the udumbara bó tree (obtaining it from king Sóbhavati, at Sóbhavatinagara in Jambudípa).'

"The thérí becoming (by inspiration) acquainted with this resolve, thereupon accompanied by the monarch (Sóbhavati) approached that tree. That supernaturally gifted king, with a vermillion pencil having made a streak on the right branch, she (the thérí), taking possession of that bó branch, which had separated itself (from the main tree) and

1 Insert " averting it and."

2 Dele.

3

stages of sanctification.” Insert "five hundred."

planted itself in a golden vase, brought it hither by miraculous means, attended by her retinue of1 priestesses and surrounded by dévatás, and placed the golden vessel on the extended right hand of the supreme Buddha. This successor of former Buddhas receiving the same, bestowed it on king Samiddha, for the purpose of being planted there, in the pleasure garden Mahánáma. The monarch planted it there (accordingly).

"The supreme Buddha repairing thither, to the northward of the Sirísamáļaka, and stationing himself at Nágamálaka (where subsequently Thúlathanaka, prior to his accession, built a dágoba, including the Silásobbhakandaka cétiya), expounded the doctrines of his faith to the people. Having heard that discourse, O king (continued Mahinda), twenty thousand living beings obtained the blessings of religion. Repairing to the northward thereof, to the place (Thúpáráma) where the preceding Buddha had stationed himself, there seating himself, and having indulged in the 'samádhi' meditation, rising therefrom, the supreme Buddha expounded his doctrines. From the assembled congregation ten thousand living beings attained the bliss of maggaphalan.' Bestowing his belt as a relic to be worshipped by the people, and leaving there the priestess with her retinue, and also leaving there his disciple Mahásumma, together with his thousand priests, the supreme Buddha tarrying for a while at the Ratanamálaka, 4thereafter at the Sudassanamálaka, and having preached to the people, together with his sacerdotal retinue, the vanquisher departed through the air for Jambudípa.

"The third divine teacher, the comforter of the whole world, the omniscient supreme deity in this kappa, was named Kassapa' from his descent. The capital, then called Visálánagara, was situated to the westward; and this Mahámégha pleasure garden was called then Maháságara. The reigning sovereign there, at that period was known by the name of Jayanta,' and this land was then designated ' Mandadípa.'

"At that period, between the said king Jayanta and his younger brother (Samiddha), an awful conflict was on the eve of being waged, most terrifying to the inhabitants. The all-merciful' muni' Kassapa, perceiving that in consequence of that civil war a dreadful sacrifice of lives would ensue, impelled by motives of compassion, as well as for the purpose of effecting the conversion of its inhabitants and the establishment of his faith in this land, (after) having averted this calamity, accompanied by twenty thousand of his sanctified disciples, having repaired hither, stationed himself on the summit of Subhakúța.

"Ruler of men " (continued Mahinda, addressing himself to Dévánampiya Tissa), " the lord of munis, himself the mahá-muni, stationing himself there, thus resolved: Let all the inhabitants of this land Mandádípa this very day see me manifested. Let also all persons who are desirous of repairing to me repair instantly (hither) without encountering any impediment.' The sovereign and the inhabitants of the capital observing this divine sage, effulgent by the rays of his halo, as well as the mountain illuminated (by his presence), instantly repaired hither. A great concourse of people of either party, in order that they might ensure victory to their cause, having proceeded to the mountain for the purpose of making offerings to the dévatás, imagined the ruler

1 Insert "five hundred."

3" on this side of."

5" in order that he might avert it and effect."

2" stages of sanctification." 4 Dele.

of the universe and his disciples were dévatás. The king and the prince astonished (at the presence of the Buddha Kassapa) relinquished their (impending) conflict.

"The king (Jayanta) exceedingly rejoiced, bowing down to this lord of munis, and inviting him to take refreshment, conducted him to the capital; and the monarch considering this celebrated spot both befitting as an offering and convenient as a residence for the muni and his fraternity, caused to be constructed, in a hall erected by him, superb pulpits for the supreme Buddha and his (attendant) priests.

66

The inhabitants of the land, seeing this lord of the universe seated here with his sacerdotal retinue, brought offerings from all quarters. The king, from his own provisions and beverage as well as from the offerings brought from every direction, presented refreshments to the lord of the universe and disciples.

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In the afternoon he bestowed on the vanquisher, who was seated on this very spot, the pleasure garden (then called) Maháságara,—a worthy dedication. At the instant that this Maháságara garden, embellished by (even) flowers out of season, was accepted of, the earth quaked. Here the said divine ruler, taking his seat, expounded his doctrines; and twenty thousand inhabitants attained the 'sanctification of the 'maggaphalan.'

་

"The vanquisher, having enjoyed his forenoon rest in the Maháságara garden, in the afternoon repaired to this spot, where the preceding bó trees had been planted, and indulged in the samádhi' meditation. Rising therefrom, the supreme Buddha thus resolved: For the spiritual welfare of the inhabitants of this land let the chief thérí Sudhammá, together with her retinue of priestesses, repair hither, bringing with her the right branch of the nigródha bó tree (obtaining it from king Kisa at Báránasínagara in Jambudípa).'

"The thérí becoming (by inspiration) acquainted with this resolve, thereupon accompanied by the monarch (Kisa), approached that tree. That supernaturally gifted king, with a vermillion pencil having made a streak on the right branch. she (the thérí), taking possession of that bó branch, which had separated itself (from the main tree) and planted itself in a golden vase, brought it hither by miraculous means, attended by her retinue of priestesses and surrounded by dévatás, and placed the golden vessel on the extended right hand of the supreme Buddha. This successor of former Buddhas, receiving the same, bestowed it on king Jayanta, for the purpose of being planted there in the pleasure garden Maháságara. The monarch planted it there (accordingly).

"The supreme Buddha repairing thither, to the northward of the Nágamálaka, and stationing himself at Asóka (where Asóka, one of the younger brothers of Dévánampiya Tissa, subsequently built a dágoba) expounded the doctrines of his faith to the people. Having heard that discourse," (continued Mahinda, addressing himself to Dévánampiya Tissa), "O king, to four thousand living beings the blessings of religion were insured. Repairing to the northward thereof, to the place (Thúpáráma dágoba) where the preceding Buddhas had stationed themselves, there seating himself, and having indulged in the samádhi' meditation, rising therefrom, the supreme Buddha expounded his doctrines. From the assembled congregation ten thousand human beings attained the bliss of 'maggaphalan.' Bestowing his ablution robe as a relic to be

166 stages of sanctification."

2 Insert "five hundred."

worshipped by the people, and leaving there the priestess with her retinue, and also leaving there his disciple Sabbanandi together with his thousand priests, the supreme Buddha, at the Sómanamálaka (where Uttiya subsequently built a dágoba), previously called the Sudassanamálaka, having preached to the people, departed through the air for Jambudípa.

"The fourth divine sage, the comforter of the world, the omniscient doctrinal lord, the vanquisher of the five deadly sins, in this‘kappa ' was GÓTAMA.

"In his first advent to this land he reduced the yakkhas to subjection; and then, in his second advent, he established his power over the nágás. Again, upon the third occasion at the entreaty of the nága king Maņiakkhi, repairing to Kalyáni, he there, together with his attendant disciples, partook of refreshment. Having tarried, and indulged in (the samapatti' meditation) at the spot where the former bó trees had been placed; as well as on this very site of the (Ruvanveli) dágoba" (where Mahinda was making these revelations to Dévánampiya Tissa), "and having repaired to the spot where the relics used (by the Buddhas themselves, viz., the drinking vessel, the belt, and the ablution robe, had been enshrined); as well as to the several places where preceding Buddhas had tarried, the vanquisher of the five deadly sins, the great muni, the luminary of Lanká, as at that period there were no human beings in the land, having expounded his doctrines to the congregated dévas and the nágas, departed through the air to Jambudípa.

"Thus, O king, this is a spot consecrated by the four preceding Buddhas. On this spot, mahárájá, there will hereafter stand a dágoba to serve as the shrine for a dóna" of sacred relics (obtained) from Buddha's body, in height one hundred and twenty cubits, renowned under the name of 'Hémamálí' (Ruvanveli).”

The ruler of the land thus replied: "I myself must erect it." "O king, unto thee there are many other acts to be performed, do thou execute them. A descendant of thine will accomplish this work. Yaṭálatissa, the son of thy younger brother, the sub-king Mahánága, will hereafter become a ruling sovereign; his son named Góthábhaya will also be a king. His son will be called Kákavanna. Mahárájá! the son of that sovereign, named Abhaya, will be a great monarch, gifted with supernatural powers and wisdom,-a conqueror renowned under the title of Duṭṭha Gámaní.' He will construct the dágoba here."

The théra thus prophesied; and the monarch having caused that prophecy to be engraved (on stone) in the very words of the théra, raised a stone monument (in commemoration thereof).

The sanctified and supernaturally gifted chief théra Mahá Mahinda accepted the dedication made to him of the delightful Mahámégha pleasure garden and Tissáráma (where the vihára of that name was subsequently built). This personage, who had thoroughly subdued his passions, after having caused the earth to quake at the eight sacred spots, entered, for the purpose of making his alms-pilgrimage, the city (in expanse) like unto the great ocean. Taking his repast at the king's palace, and departing from the royal residence, and seating himself in the Nandana garden, he expounded the "aggikkhandha discourse

(of Buddha) to the people; and procuring the sanctification of “maggaphalan " for a thousand persons he tarried in the Mahámégha garden.

66

1" by the direction."

K

2" attainment of the stages of sanctification."

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