516 Examination of the Pdli Buddhistical Annals. f July, 



It is also recorded (in the Singhalese AtthakathA) that the theros then forming 

 a katik&watt&n (compact) together, came to the following resolution for the pur- 

 pose of rendering adoration to the word of Bhagawa', as well as for the purpose 

 of overcoming the doctrines of the Titthiya (heretics or professors of foreign 

 faiths) — " Let us devote ourselves to the reparation (of the sacred edifices). The 

 Titthiya may say, * the pupils of the priest Gotamo kept up their wiharos while 

 their teacher was alive: on his death they have abandoned them'— they (the 

 theros) apprehended this reproach." They also thus resolved in order that they 

 might refute another reproach, viz : " the enormous wealth bestowed by the great 

 (in founding Buddhistical edifices) is lost." 



Having formed this determination they (the five hundred selected bhikkhus) 

 entered into a katikawattan. It is thus mentioned in the Punchasatikakkhan- 

 dakan of the Pitakattayan. " Thereafter, the theros thus said (one to ano- 

 ther) : ' Beloved, the reparation of dilapidations is commended by Bhagawa'. 

 Wherefore, let us employ ourselves in the first month in repairing dilapidations ; 

 in the middle month*, assembling together we will hold a convocation on the 

 Dhammo and Winayo.' " 



On the second day, repairing to the palace gate, they took their station there. 

 The r£ja (Aja'tasattu) approaching them and bowing down inquired : " Lords 1 

 why have ye come ?" and asked if there was any thing required which could be 

 provided by him. The theVos replied, " artificers, for the purpose of effecting 

 the repair of dilapidations at the eighteen great wiharos." The raja provided 

 them with artificers. 



The the"ros having completed the repairs in the course of the first month, thus 

 reported to the raja. " Maha raja ! the repairs of the wiharos being completed, 

 we will now hold the convocation on Dhammo and Winayo" " Most excel- 

 lent, (replied the maha raja,) ye may rely on me, let the executive part devolve 

 on me, and the religious portion on you. Command me therefore, lords ! what 

 can I provide ?" " Maha raja ! a place of assembly for the the'ros who are to hold 

 the convocation." " Where lords ! am I to provide it ?" " It will be pro- 

 per to do so at the entrance to the Sattapanni cave on the side of the Webhara 

 mountain." Replying, " Willingly lords !" The raja Aja'tasattu, causing to 

 be prepared a hall, as if executed by the (celestial artificer) Wissakamwo, having 

 exquisitely constructed walls, pillars, and flights of steps, embellished with 

 representations of festoons, of flowers and of flower-creepers, rivalling the 

 splendour of the decorations of his palace, and imitating the magnificence of the 

 mansions of the d^wos, the abode itself of the goddess Siri (splendour), attract- 

 ing the gaze of de'wos and men, as a solitary pond (in a desert) attracts the fea- 

 thered tribe, the accumulated repository of the admiration of the world, perfect- 

 ed it with every procurable precious material, and having the same decorated 

 with suspended festoons of flowers, beautiful curtains so light that they floated 

 in the air, like unto the palace of Brahma', the interior of which is depicted 

 with rubies, with garlands of flowers and exquisitely finished ; having also seve- 

 ral stories ; and further, in that hall, causing to be raised for the five hundred 

 priests, five hundred invaluable and appropriate carpetted seats, as well as the 

 therasanan (the chief th£ro's pulpit) on the southern side facing the north, and 



* Of the three months of " Wasso," 



