﻿AND THE DOCTRINES OF BHOODDHA» 4-1 



to feleft iuch day for themfelves, and this they par- 

 ticularize by a8:s of devotion, confiding in fading, 

 prayer, and forming refolutions for their future good 

 condutl; all which devout ath are addreffed to their 

 Saviour Bhooddha, &c. 



It is cuflomary for the pious, who attend at the 

 temples more regularly, to make offerings at the altar. 

 Before the hour of ii A. M. dreffed viftuals may be 

 introduced, but not after that hour; flowers only can 

 then be prefented. The vitluals are generally eaten 

 by the priefts or their attendants, and form a principal 

 part of their refources. 



There is one charaBer in the church fuperior to 

 all, who is diftinguiflied by name, and the duties of 

 his office: he is ftiled Dammah Candeh Maha 



JSfAYEKEH. 



During the reign of the Portuguefe in Ceylon, the 

 religion of Bhooddha was much perfecuted, and be- 

 came in confequence neglefcled, and almofl unknown, 

 even to its votaries. When the Dutch conquered the 

 jfland, greater liberties being granted to the followers 

 of Bhooddha, the priefts acquired fome degree of 

 light, and, with the affiftance of learned men, lent 

 from Siam, religion again began to flourifh. The 

 high priefl:, about this time, was a perfon of extenfive 

 learning and great piety. In the former he exceeded 

 "the very men fent from Siam to inftruft him. His 

 fuperior talents gained him the title of Sreehnan- 

 KEREH Sanga Raja, which was granted him by the 

 King of Siam and his high prieft conjointly, and 

 confirmed by the King of Candia. Since the death of 

 Sanga Raja, there has been no perfon of his rank; 

 none having been found of fufficient learning. For 

 the ordination of a priefl, a council is affembled, con- 

 fiding of the high pried, with thirty others of learning. 



