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EPIGRAPHIA INDICA.
[VOL. XVIII
fraternities (nikayas) and gave three tulabhāras1 to the three fraternities; who, bringing the whole of Lanka under the shade of one umbrella, had been pleased to reign for fifty-five years with the ten principles of regal duty and celebrated seventy-three birthday festivities (tiru-nakshatram), gave orders to Nuvaragal3 Devasenevirattar, and caused to be built within (the precincts of) Uttorulmula, which was the principal shrine of the great monastery of Abhayagiri the Mülasthana (i.e. important seat of monks) in the city of Pulanari alias Vijayarajapura, the great temple of the Tooth Relic (dala-day-pperumpalli), the permanent abode of the venerated Tooth Relic and the Bowl Relic (dalada-patra-dhātu-svāmi-dēvargal), the crest jewel of the three worlds, an auspicious house for the first inauguration ceremony, a gandhakuti for the great stone image of Buddhadeva to whom annually is held the festival of opening the eyes and fixing collyrium thereon.
(Ll. 25-39.) As the Mahasthavira Vyāriņi Mugalan, the royal preceptor, well versed in all the sciences and scriptures, of good conduct and behaviour, who, being gloriously seated in the Uturulmuļa (monastery) along with the ministers of the king was pleased to call us to his presence and said "The great temple of the Tooth Relic should be under your protection," we, of the Mahatantra, having called together the Valañjiyar, who are our leaders, and the Nagarattār and others, who always accompany us, gave it the sacred name of "Munru-kai-tiru-vēlaikkaran Daladay-pperumpalli" (i.e. the great temple of the Tooth Relic of the Velaikkaras of the three hands), and to make it remain as our charity and under our protection, assigned for the protection of this charity one servant and one veli of land (for his maintenance), from each regiment; and bound ourselves to protect the villages under the supervision of this temple (palli), its servants and treasures, as well as the men seeking its shelter, even though (we may) suffer ruin or loss; and to always provide for all the requirements of this (temple), so long as our community continues to exist, repairing such parts (of the temple) as get dilapidated.
(Ll. 39-44.) In order that the agreement thus given may last as long as the Moon and the Sun (endure), we, the exalted Velaikkaras, consisting of the Valangai, Iḍangai, Sirudanam, Pillaigaldanam, Vadugar, Malaiyalar, Parivarakkondam and various other classes of workmen (palakalanai), attested it (i.e. the agreement) with our own hands, and caused it to be engraved on copper and stone.
(Ll. 44-49.) Whose acts against this, or acquiesces in doing wrong to this, shall enter the hell wherein fall those enemies of the (Velaikkara) regiments, who have wronged the Mahatantra, those who have committed the five great sins, those heinous sinners who have robbed what have been given to gods, bhutas, and the great ascetics, and those who have wronged the (three) gems, (to wit), the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha. Forget not charity! Hail! Prosperity!
1 Tulabhara is weighing one's self against gold or other precious substances and giving away the same in charity.
2 The ten principles of regal duty as explained in Pali books are, charity (dana), piety (sila), liberality (parichchaga), rectitude (ajjavam), gentleness (majjava), religious austerity (tapam), freedom from wrath (akködhö), humanity (avihimsa), forbearance (khanti), and the state of having no enmity (avirodhata).
The correct reading Nuvaragal in place of anuvagal is due to Codrington.
Gandhakuti (perfumed chamber) was the name given to the part of the vihara occupied by the Buddha himself, when he was alive.
It is doubtful whether Vyarini formed a part of the name of the monk. No such name is met with any. where as the name of a Buddhist monk. I am not able to give any other explanation of this word.
The five great sins according to the Buddhists are:-(1) the murdering of one's father, (2) the murdering of one's mother, (3) killing an arhat or saint, (4) shedding the blood of a Buddha, (5) causing schism n the Order. According to the Hindu Law-books they are:-(1) killing a Brihmana, (2) drinking intoxi. cating liquor, (3) theft, (4) committing adultery with the wife of a religious teacher, and (5) associating with any one guilty of these crimes,
