Indian Antiquary Vol 22

Author(s): Richard Carnac Temple
Publisher: Swati Publications

Page 52

THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY.
[FEBRUARY, 1893.
"The King acted accordingly, purified the Religion, and caused a covenant to be entered into by the priests. In after times, with a view to purifying the Religion, Vijayabahuraja and Parakkamabahuraja caused (similar) covenants to be made.
"From that time up to the present day, there has been existing in Lankadipa, a sect of priests, who are the spiritual successors of the fraternity of the Mahavihara, the exceedingly pure and orthodox sect, whose members conformed, in a proper manner, to the rules of the Order.
"I (Ramadhipati) shall, therefore, invite, in a respectful manner, learned and qualified priests to receive the extremely pure form of the upasampada ordination in Lankadipa, and to establish it in this country of Ramannadesa. By inducing men of good family, who have faith, and are desirous of taking orders, to receive it, and by thus calling into existence the pure form of the upasampadá ordination, the Religion will become purified and free from impurity, and will last to the end of the period of 5,000 years."
Accordingly, King Ramadhipati invited the twenty-two théras, headed by Mog. galana, and addressed them tbus: "Reverend Sirs, the upasampadá ordination of the priests in Ramaññadêsa now appears to us to be invalid. Therefore, how can the Religion, which is based on such invalid ordination, last to the end of 5,000 years ? Reverend Sirs, from the establishment of the Religion in Shaladípa up to the present day, there has been existing in that island an exceedingly pure sect of priests, who are the spiritual successors of the residents of the Mahâvihára monastery. If, Reverend Sirs, you go to Sthaladipa, and, after selecting out of the fraternity, whose members are the spiritual successors of the priests of the Maha, vihira, a Chapter, who are pure and free from censure and reproach, receive at their hands the upasampada ordination in the udakukkhépasimt consecrated on the Kalyani River, where the Fully Enlightened One enjoyed a bath; and, if you make this form of the upasampalá ordination the seed of the Religion, as it were, plant it, and cause it to spront forth by conferring such ordination on men of good family in this country of Ramañoadêsa, who have faith and are desirous of taking orders, the Religion will become pure and last till the end of 5,000 years.
"Reverend Sirs, by your going to Sthaladipa, much merit and great advantages will accrue to you. Reverend Sirs, on your arrival in Sihaļadipa, an opportunity will be afforded you of adoring and making offerings to the Holy Tooth Relic, to the Bodhi trees, headed by the one which was the Southern branch (of the tree at Buddha Gaya), to the Ratanachêtiya and other shrines, and to the Chêtiya of the Holy Foot-print of the Blessed One on the top of the Samantakúta Hill. Therefore, Reverend Sirs, your great accumulation of merit will increase. For the reasons stated above, I beseech of you the favour of going to Sthaladipa."
To this the théras replied: "Maharaja, your excellent request is, indeed, in conformity with the law, because it is actuated by a desire to promote the interests of the Religion. The visit to Sthaladipa will increase our great accumulation of merit. We, therefore, grant you the favoar, and will visit Sihaladipa.” Saying thus, the théras gave a promise.
On receiving the reply of the theras, the King directed the preparation of the following articles to serve as offerings to the Holy Tooth Relic :-- stone alms-bowl, embellished with sapphires of great value, and having for its cover a pyramidal covering made of gold weighing 50 phalas; an alms-bowl, with stand and cover complete, made of gold weighing 60 phalas; & golden vase weighing 30 phalas; a duodecagonal betel-box made of gold weighing 30 phalas; a golden relic-receptacle weighing 33 phalas, and constructed in the shape of a chétiya; a relic-receptacle made of crystal; a relic-receptacle, embellished with pieces of glass resem. bling masdragalla gems; and golden flowers.
For the purpose of offering to the Ratanachêtiya and other shrines, to the Holy Foot-print, and to the twenty-two Bôdhi trees, the following articles were prepared :-85 canopies of various colours ; 50 large, gilt, waxen candles; and the same pumber of small, gilt, waxen candles,