________________ PDT 11 MWON THE ROMANTIC HISTORY OF BUDDHA'S ALMS-BOWL MAJOR-GENERAL A. CUNNINGHAM, C. S. I., C. I. E. Vaisali was celebrated in the early ages of Buddhism for the possession of the Alms-bowl of Buddha, which he had given to the Licchavis when they took leave of him at the old city on their northern frontier, which I have identified with kesariya, 30 miles to the north-west of Vaisali. This bowl, which still exists, has a very romantic history. Originally it was presented to the Liechavis of Vaisali by Buddha himself when he sent them back of their homes. This is attested by both Fa-Hian and Hwen Thsang. The former says that he gave them his alms-bowl as a memorial; the latter that he "lassa son vas de religieux pour qu'il leur servit de souvenir."1 Its subsequent history appears to have been unknown to the latter pilgrim, who does not mention it again. When Fa-Hian was in Ceylon "he heard a Buddhist pilgrim from India...say Buddha's alms-bowl was originally in Pi-she-li (or Vaisali). It is now in the country of Chien-to-wei (Gandhara). After a certain number of years...... it will be taken on to the western Yueh-shih country."2 This is Mr. Giles's translation, from which Mr. Beal slightly differs : "The almsbowl of Buddha originally was preserved in the city of Vaisali, but now it is in the borders of Gandhara. Io somewhat like a hundred years..... it will again be transported to the country of the western Yu-chi" The bowl was seen by Fa-Hian and his companions at Fo-lu-sha (or Parshawar); but he does not say a word as to how it got there. I have, however, found a notice of its removal in Vassilief's translations from 1. Giles's Record of the Buddhistic Kingdoms, p. 105. 2. Beal's Records of Buddhist Countries, p. 101.
