﻿OF THE PEOPLE OF CEYLON. 423 



neatly plaited from the fore to the hind part of his 

 Jiead, at the top of which is a flainc, which, in 

 statues of eighteen cul)it.s, is tliree feet two or three 

 inches in height. There are generally figures of 

 some of the divinities painted on the walls of the 

 temples ; and these figiires, in the richer ones, are 

 made of earth or wood. Those of Boudhou may 

 be made of any kind of materials. Devout people 

 make oricrings to the temple in gold, silver, brass, 

 or even stuffs. It is an homage to the memory of 

 Boudhou, for Mdiich a recompence is expected 

 in this life, and not in the other. 



On one side of the Vihari there is always a monu- 

 ment, in the form of a cupola, placed on a moulded 

 pedestal. Tliis monument contains a particle of tha 

 bones of Boudhou : it is rather difficult to conceive 

 "whence all these particles have come, as his body 

 was burned on a pile of sandal wood one hundred 

 and lifry cubits high. This cupola is called Dageb 

 Vahanse. Da bone, Geb belly, Vahanse lOrd. It 

 is clear that the word bell^ is here used in a meta- 

 phorical sense. Valianse is a term applicable to 

 every thing that creates respect. The priests live 

 close to the Vihari. Their habitatioas should be 

 humble, and coveretl only with leaves. This has 

 given rise to their being called Pans-eUy house of 

 leaves. Abuses have, however, crept in among 

 them, and tiles are seen to their houses instead of 

 leaves. 



PRIESTS, 



The priests are all dressed in yellow: their gar- 

 ment is large and folded back, like that of Boud- 

 hou, on the left shoulder, leaving the right breast 

 and shoulder uncovered. Ti ey are rorbidden to 

 marry, or to have concubines. They cannot touch 

 meat, vegetables and eggs being their sole diet. 

 They are not to eat after twelve o'clock, and must 



E E 4 be 



