﻿38 OM SINGHALA, OR CEYLON', 



DiEPAXKEREH Bhooddh A was 0116 of the 22 Bhood- 

 DHAs formerly alluded to, and held the firft rank among 

 them. His name is frequently mentioned in the books 

 now extant among the Singhalais, and they, from 

 many confiderations, hold him in peculiar veneration. 

 He was famed for the uncommon beauty of his perfon ; 

 and the followers of the true doclrine were more nu- 

 merous in his days, than during the government of 

 other Bhooddhas in thofe remote periods. 



Gautemeh Bhooddha is acknowledged by the 

 Singhalais, to be the fame holy character termed by 

 the Siamefe, SomxMonokodom, and Pootisat. Som- 

 MONO Gautemeh is, however, according to the former, 

 the proper mod^ or writing the firft appellation. Som- 

 MONO in the P<^/f(? language implies a renowned Saint, 

 Avhofe garb, as well as his aBions, marks his charac- 

 ter : In many fenfes it is fynonimous with Bhooddha. 

 Gatuimeii, or Gautimo, (as it is occafionally pro- 

 nounced by thofe from whom I caught the found.) is 

 a proper name, pertaining to a perfon of ancient and 

 illuftrious defcent. Bhooddisat, or Poodisatweyo, 

 is a title given to thofe in heaven dellined to become 

 Bhooddhas. 



The Pake is the language in which Bhooddha is 

 faid to have preached his doctrine, and manifefted his 

 law. This language is alfo termed, by the learned 

 Singhalais, the Magedee and Moola Bajlia ; ba/lia being 

 the Singhalais for language. The principal and molt 

 holy code among the Singhalais^ and that which may 

 be termed their Bible, appears to be "the Abidarmeh 

 Pitckch Sattappre Karranee. This book is written in 

 the above dialetl, and may be had at the capital of 

 Candia : at lead it is in the poffcfTion of the learned 

 there. A prieft of the religion of Bhooddha, whom 

 I queftioned concerning the Vedas and Pooraans of the 

 Hindoos, and whether the book jufl mentioned had 

 a.ny relation to them, replied, " The Vedas are books 



z in 



