LITERATURE OF THE BURMAS. £85 



*' are prohibited from doing. Wherefore, I the reader 

 *' admonifh him in thefe words. 



" In the firft place the facerdotal order confifts in 

 " eating that food only which is procured by the la- 

 " hour and motion of the mufcles of the feet. Where- 

 " fore it behoves you, O young prieft, during the 

 " whole courfe of your life, to ftruggle, that you may 

 " live on food procured by the labour of your feet. 

 " But if alms and offerings abound, that is to fay, if 

 " your benefattors come to you, and offer food, you 

 " may lawfully ufethe following kinds of provilions : 

 " ift, all kinds of food, that are offered to Rahansui 

 " general ; 2d, provifions that are offered to you in 

 " particular ; 3d, provifions which are fent along with 

 '• a letter; 4th, provifions that are offered on the days 

 •• of the full and new moon; 5th, provifions given on 

 " feftivals by your benefaclors. Of all thefe provi- 

 " fions you may lawfully eat. The new prieft fliall 

 " anfwer, Verily my lord I have heard.* 



" The 



* In fii6}, the Rdh'ms are allowed to eat every thing, which they receive 

 as a preferit, provided it be ready dreffed ; for they never kindle a fire, for 

 fear of deilroying fome life. What is meant by procuring their food by 

 the labour of their feet, is this : every morn n ', as foon as they can diftin- 

 gui{h the veins on their hands, the. whole Rahans ifTue from their convents, 

 each with his Sawei/ under h'.s arm. They fpread themfelves ail over the 

 neighbouring llreets and villages, and as they pafs along, flop a little at 

 the different doors, but without laving a word. If the people of a hpufe 

 arc difpofed to be charitable, or have not already given away all that has 

 been prepared for the piiipofe. a perfon, generally the mlftrefs of the houfe, 

 comes out, puts the ready drefled provifions into the Sal'cit, and the Rahan 

 goes on fiient, and without Returning thanks. Nor does he ever folicit for 

 any thing, fhoiild it not be convenient or agreeable for a family to beftow 

 alms : but after ttandmg for a few minutes proceeds on his round. So deli- 

 cate are they in this particular, that it is fmful for a Rdhunou fuch occafions 

 to cough, or make any lignal, by which he might be fuppofcd to put the 

 laity in mind of tlicir duty. To the greater part of convents however fuch 

 begging is not neceiraiy for a fubfifience, as theofferings fent to the different 

 Rahans, by the perfons whofe fpiritual guides thev arc. to the fons of the 

 wealthy bv their parents, and to the whole on holy d:u ^ and feftivals, are 

 generally more than fufficient for their own maintenarice. As they literally 

 take no care for to-morrow, the fuperfluity they daily give away to animals, 

 to the poor, and to needy flrangors or travellers. However, tliat they may 

 be able to fupply thefe various demands, and comply with the letter of this 



law, 



