1835.] Island of Ramhree on the Arracan €oast. 91 



these followed the relatives of the deceased. A poor woman whom I 

 learned was mother to the deceased continued to utter the most bitter 

 lamentations the whole of the way, and did not cease from so doing 

 until the corpse had been borne to the spot prepared for its final recep- 

 tion. When the litter had been placed by the side of the grave, pieces 

 of cloth, with rice and plantains, were laid out as an offering to the 

 Phraa ; a leathern carpet was spread upon the ground, and on this the 

 senior Phoongree seated himself, assuming a look of deep meditation, 

 and partially concealing his face from public view by means of the 

 yattoiving* that he bore in his hand. This done the Mey -thee- laying 

 and relatives of the deceased kneeled upon the ground in two rows 

 (the former kneeling outside), and all made obeisance to the Phoongree. 

 Rice was put into their hands, and each individual pronounced the fol- 

 lowing words in an audible and suppliant tone, receiving from the 

 Phoongree replies to the several prayers that were put up. 



(Congregation kneeling.) Ogddhzahf ! Ogddhzah ! I once, twice, 

 and three times entreat tor thy name's sake, and for the sake of thy 

 holy ministers, that thou wilt forgive me those sins that I have cora- 

 mited in this life ; and I also pray that in the future migrations of my 

 soul I may be the first of human beings who shall meet with Eye-yee- 

 mud-deahl (ariya Maitriya), and finally attain to Nibbhan^ with him. 



* Yattoiving, a kind of fan, borne only by the Pkoongrees. 



f Okdsa, Holy Being. 



X It is the belief of these worshippers of Gautama that the age of man was far 

 greater formerly than it is at present ; it is now said to be 60 years or more, it 

 will gradually become less, until 10 years will be the average term of existence. 

 This will be followed by an increase, so that 1000 years shall be the period of ex- 

 istence allotted to man. When this has occurred, all the images of Gautama, 

 and all his sacred writings will be miraculously collected and consumed at the 

 Bhodeebeng tree. (The branches of this tree are said to be of gold, and the leaves 

 to resemble emeralds. It is celebrated as the place where Gautama first became 

 a Phraa, or religious teacher. To ascertain the site of this tree, as well as the 

 locality of kingdoms and cities known at present by other names, was not one of 

 the least important objects of the Burmah mission sent into Hindustan some 

 years ago under charge of the meyowoon Thoowe-ddng-sa-ga-soo.) 



The destruction of the images and writings of Gautama will be succeeded by 

 the nativity of the Phraa Eye-yee-rnud-deah ; and all good men thenresiding upon 

 earth will become his disciples. Occurrences similar to those above described as 

 consequent to the Nighban of Gautama will mark the departure of Eye-yee-mud- 

 deah from the world. Rdmah Phraa will then appear, and he will declare his 

 successor. 



§ Nibbhan, annihilation, properly. If a man, or woman, is eminently virtu- 

 ous in this life, he or she, may hope to attain to a Nibbhan, i. e. not to be bora 

 again, but to become as air, smoke, &c. without sense, substance, or shape. 

 n 2 



