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THE BOOK OF THE GREAT DECEASE.
sound of their instruments of music is appropriate enough. Then follow some Buddhist mendicants, in number according to the wealth or influence of the deceased, and walking under a portable canopy of white cloth. Then the coffin is carried by the nearest male relatives, and followed by other male relatives and relations-no females, even the widowed mother of an only son, taking part in this last sad procession.
Three times the coffin is carried round the grave: then it is placed on two sticks placed across the mouth of the pit; and one end of a roll of white cloth is placed on the coffin, the other end being held by all the Unnänsês (Bhikkhus) whilst the people repeat three times in Pali the well-known formula of the Refuges (the simple Nicene Creed of the Buddhists):
'I take my refuge in the Buddha,
I take my refuge in the Dhamma,
I take my refuge in the Order ?' Then the priests respond, thrice repeating in Pali the well-known verse discussed below:
How transient are all component things! Their nature's to be born and die; Coming, they go; and then is best,
When each has ceased, and all is rest!' Then the Unnânsês let go the roll of white cloth, and whilst water is poured from a goblet into a cup placed on a plate until the cup is full to the brim, they again chaunt three times in Pâli the following verses :
As rivers, when they fill, must flow, And reach, and fill the distant main;
Buddham saranam gakkhâmi Dhammam saranam gakkhâmi Samgham saranam gakkhâmi. Anikka vata samkhârâ uppâdavaya-dhammino
Uppag gitvâ nirugghanti tesam vûpasamo sukho. See 'Book of the Great Decease,' VI, 16, and the Legend of the Great King of Glory,' II, 42.
* This ceremony is called Pæm wadanawa.
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| SR No. | 007674 |
| Book Title | Dhammapada |
| Original Sutra Author | N/A |
| Author | Max Muller |
| Publisher | Oxford |
| Publication Year | 1881 |
| Total Pages | 2540 |
| Language | English |
| Classification | Book_English |
| File Size | 45 MB |