1837.] Examination of the Pdli Buddhistical Annals. 710 



"The successor of former Buddhos (silently) willed these five resolves : on 

 that account, in this instance, this relic performed this miracle of two opposite 

 results. 



"Descending from the skies (the collar-bone relic) placed itself on the crown 

 of the monarch's head. The delighted sovereign deposited it in the shrine. At 

 the enshrining of the relic in the dagoba (on the full moon day of the month of 

 Kattika) a terrific earthquake was produced making the hair (of the spectators) 

 to stand on end. 



* ' Thus the Buddhos are incomprehensible : their doctrines are incomprehen- 

 sible : and (the magnitude of the fruits of faith, to those who have faith in these 

 incomprehensibles, is also incomprehensible.') 



"Witnessing this miracle the people were converted to the faith of the 

 vanquisher. The younger brother of the king, the royal prince Matta'bhayo, 

 being also a convert to the faith of the lord of ' Munis ;' entreating of the lord of 

 men (the king) for permission, together with a thousand persons, was ordained 

 a minister of that religion." 



This prediction is to be found in Buddhaghoso's Atthakatha on 

 the Parmibbdna-suttan. 



The third prophecy is given in the following words in the 5th 

 chapter of the Mahdwanso, as enunciated by the theros who held the 

 second convocation in B. C. 443, predictive of Moggaliputtatisso 

 being destined to preside at the third convocation, to be held for 

 the suppression of a calamity which was to occur in 118 years from 

 that date. This revelation also is recorded in Buddhaghoso's 

 Atthakatha. 



" The theVos who held the second convocation, meditating on the events of 

 futurity, foresaw that a calamity would befal their religion during the reign of 

 this sovereign (Asoko). Searching the whole world for him who would subdue 

 this calamity, they perceived that it was the long-lived Tisso, the brahman (of 

 the Br&hmal6ka world). Repairing to him, they supplicated of the great sage to 

 be born among men for the removal of this calamity. He, willing to be made 

 the instrument for the glorification of religion, gave his consent unto them. 

 These ministers of religion then thus addressed Siggawo and Chandawo, two 

 adult priests. In eighteen, plus one, hundred years hence, a calamity will befal 

 our religion, which we shall not ourselves witness. Ye (though) priests failed to 

 attend on the occasion (of holding the second convocation on religion) ; on 

 that account, it is meet to award penalties unto you. Let this be your penance. 

 The brahman Tisso, a great sage, for the glorification of our religion, will be 

 conceived in a certain womb in the house of the brahman Moggali. At the 

 proper age, one of you must initiate that noble youth into the priesthood. (The 

 other) must fully instruct him in the doctrines of the supreme Buddho I" 



On an attentive examination of the foregoing Ceylonese table, and 

 of the historical details furnished in the Mahdwanso, the following 

 grounds suggest themselves to my mind for distrusting the correctness 



* A quotation from the sacred commentaries. 



