1834.] Inscription from Ramree Island, Arracan. 213 



traordinarily versed in shastrical learning, the sovereign invested him 

 with the joint office of Vimala vansa-dhaja-maharaja guru, and the presi- 

 dency of the five several religious denominations ; and they are as follow : 

 Punyavansaparama maharaja Gurucharato, Munindasridhaja maharaja 

 Gurucharato, Chandamedhabhidhara maharaja Gurucharato, Paramasri- 

 dhaja maharaja Gurucharato. 



After a consultation between the king and the priests of the countrv 

 it was determined upon, that some should be employed in extending 

 and circulating the shastras beyond the limits to which they were 

 confined. To this end those who had the shastras bv heart started in 

 the year Sakkaraj 1148 (a. d. 1786), with a view to plant and introduce 

 it in Rammavati, in the island of YanbyaKvyan, accompanied by a numer- 

 ous retinue and attendants to answer every purpose. But before the con- 

 veyers of the holy word arrived at the destined place, they were escorted 

 with honor thiiher by (the governor) Narasamankvyo, the general 

 Chichkayray khongsiha kvyo chva, &c. Chiksihanakhangnat 

 mhang takngoralhakyotan, and the chief secretary Chare krive- 

 rasungorasu miung, and other chiefs of the country, who introduced 

 the body composing the mission into the country. So great was the effect 

 produced by their arrival, that from the 5th day of Tabodoa, (February,) 

 to the end of the month, the very flower of the country were ordained 

 priests of different degrees in the great temple called Mahavihara. 



In the full-moon of Tabongla, (March,)a temple called Kalyani simtokri, 

 was duly consecrated ; in short, the various parts and villages of the 

 island abounded with temples and pagodas, which were on this occasion 

 built and consecrated. They also fixed the holy shastras in Dvdrdvati 

 and Meghdvati*, and brought into operation the holy institutions, so that 

 the very government and all its members, with the subjects of the island 

 heard with attention the three several classes of holy science, read ex- 

 pounded, and proclaimed, in which they were eventually established. 

 Thus holiness was attained, ministers of different ranks and decrees com- 

 menced the study of the shastras, so that the very island shone with 

 yellow robes, characteristic of the prayers of holiness. During this state 

 of things, it was earnestly prayed by all the zealous, that the unholy 

 should separate and divide themselves from the righteous within 5000 

 years, and that the excellent of the land with their votaries may shine 

 and prosper, in order that they may at last obtain that most transcendant 

 of all bliss, Nirbhan, (final emancipation.) 



* Sandoway and Cheduba, according to Mr. Walter's free translation of the 

 same inscription, which has reached us too late to be otherwise available than for 

 general comparison with Ratna Paula's version. — Ed. 



