80 Translation of an inscription [No. 1, 



never be bound nor fettered. As it is said in the verses of Phromakut 



" Hao kha ti di," and in tbe Pali, raising my bands, I pray for 



wisdom. I, a person, to whom they have given the name Xai, I 



pray, that all evils of old and of the past may be finished, that I may 



be renewed to preach the words of the Lord in the next existence, to 



lead all beings on the road to Niphan. May I enjoy blessedness 



countless numbers of years in the existences to come, and then, 



performing works of merit with virtuous mind, may I attain to Phra- 



Sian-Metray (Arimathia). May I be pervaded by benevolence all 



over, may I show a charitable disposition continually, till the beating 



of the heart shall cease. As long as blood and eyes remain, may I 



accomplish good works. May I always be of a joyful mind, resembling 



Pbra-Vixa-Thon* (Chea-tor) and always give alms to the Pret 



(Pretas), feeding them with blood and flesh. May the Shephada 



Kowand keep account of all the alms I give. May Phrohm likewise 



see them and be attentive to keep account. May I receive plenty of 



joy and felicity, in recompense for these alms. May it please one of 



the Shephadas to throw down a heavenly sword, because I ardently 



wish to cut my flesh and skin, to give it in alms piecemeal, to feed 



the Pret, that they may be satiated and get enough of it. May 



Phra-Phakava (Bhagavat) and Phra Thamr also know about all these 



virtuous deeds. May I become like Phra Siahn. I present flowers to 



Bhagavat and worship in offering them. May I know thoroughly all 



rules and precepts, like the Upaxa (the ordainer of novices). May 



I become guide to the beings, my contemporaries ; may I be a leader 



to them in the Lord's religion, during my future existence. The 



present existence is an imperfect one, my frailties cause me to deviate 



from the road of truth ; I pray for greater perfection in the next 



existence ; I pray for wisdom, so as to penetrate all things, so as to 



surpass all other men ; I pray for wisdom sufficient to solve all 



difficulties, for wisdom, equal to that of Neakkhasen (Nagasena or 



Nagarjuna), who with ease and without hesitation explained the 



questions and riddles put to him by Krom-Malin (Milinda). May 



the good works of former existences help me on to be re-born in a 



lucky state. May the Shephada come to my assistance and favour me. 



May I become benevolent, good-natured and liberal, free of avarice, 



* Alchymists adore him, as the possessor of the magic stone, consisting of 

 solid mercury, which is supposed to convert base metals into gold. 



