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THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY.
MISCELLANEA.
BAUDDHA CAVES IN KABUL. Mr. Simpson, the special artist of the Illustrated London News, claims to have discovered on the Besuit bank of the Kâbul river a regular vihdra cave, which he describes as having a central chamber about fifteen feet square, with several cells opening from it, and two windows on one side. Another cave, or rather series of caves, which he explored, consisted of a long corridor or passage, from which a large number of caves, varying in size from a small cell to a large chamber, are entered. The Rev. Mr. Swinnerton has been making similar discoveries over at Hadah, where he has examined and excavated a number of caves which contain remnants of coloured plaster on the walls. One of these has a design executed in red upon a green base, within a circle. The upper part has been wholly disfigured, but the lower part is decipherable, and represents a pair of legs seated on a throne or stool with the knees apart, and the feet crossed. Surrounding the circle there are a number of circles enclosing cinque-foils marked in red on a white ground. Major Tanner, of the Survey, has been busy in the same direction, and found some sculptured slabs, one of which appears to represent a portion of a large lotus-flower. There is no reason to doubt that all these caves are either of Buddhist origin or have been used by the Buddhists, but as yet they are only partially explored, and it is premature to attempt to decide exactly their nature until the complete series can be viewed as a whole, or definitely divided into correct groups.-Times of India.
THE MENGLA THUT.
Many who have been in Burma in the time of any epidemic may have witnessed a number of elderly men and women clothed in white, gathered in the evenings on a cross-road enclosed in on three sides by kulakas; one or two idols of Gaudama with offerings of flowers, flags, fruits, &c., on a table, or a raised platform, occupying one side of the screened space. Here the assembled devotees, in solemn chants, repeat certain religious formulas in Pâli which are believed to have the efficacy of driving away the evil one.
For those who may be curious to know what these chanted formulas are, we give an abridg. ment of one of them, called
"THE MENGLA-THUT," OR THE BLESSED INSTRUCTIONS OF GAUDAMA. 1. Blessed are they who shun the company of
[MARCH, 1879.
the foolish; who ever seek counsel of the wise and who are worthy of receiving it.
2. Blessed are they who know their own place allotted by their condition in life; who possess the influence of good works in their previous existence; and who stedfastly maintain the performance of good deeds.
3. Blessed are they who have heard and seen much; who are learned in arts and sciences; who constantly maintain good behaviour, guarding their thoughts, words, and deeds; and who give utterance to good and holy words.
4. Blessed are they who minister to the wants of their father and mother; who instruct and support their wives and children; and who are free from the influence of evil temptation.
5. Blessed are they who bestow alms; who observe the ten precepts of the law of merit; who render assistance to their relatives and friends; and who perform no actions that are not exempt
from sin.
6. Blessed are they who persevere to avoid committing an evil deed; who strictly abstain from intoxicating drinks; and who are not remiss in the performance of meritorious works.
7. Blessed are they who show respect to whom it is due; who are humble; who have contentment; who show gratitude for favours received; and who listen to the preaching of the law at proper times.
8. Blessed are they who are forbearing; who take delight in the conversation of good and holy men; who visit Rahans; and who discourse on religious subjects on all occasions.
9. Blessed are they who practise mortification; who cultivate virtues; who ever keep the four great laws of truth in sight; and who always fix their mind on the attainment of Neibban (Nirvana).
10. Blessed are they who, like a Rahandah in the midst of his contemplation of the eight afflictions of this world, are firm in mind; are exempt from fear; are in amity with all; and are without danger.
11. Blessed are they who observe the thirtyeight blessed instructions, for they shall never be overcome by enemies, and, wherever they abide, peace and happiness shall dwell with them.
This Mengla-Thut in Pâli is the first book of reading a child is taught to repeat in Kyoungs and in lay schools, after he has mastered the Than-Bon-Gyee, or the spelling-book.-Arakan News.
