1837.] Examination of the Pali Buddhistic al Annals. 733 



At that crisis, Moggaliputtatisso the>o thus meditated. " Now is this 

 judgment manifested : at no remote period it will grow into a serious calamity! 

 which no person will be able to suppress, who continues to dwell amoDg these 

 persons." Transferring therefore the charge of his fraternity to the theVo Ma. 

 hindo that he himself might lead a life of seclusive devotion, departed for the 

 *Ahoganga mountain (mountain beyond the Ganges). 



These heretics, although subjected to every degradation, by the bhikkhus, as 

 well as by the Dhammo, the Winayo and the ordinances of the divine teacher 

 (Buddho) ; and. they had utterly failed in attaining the condition prescribed by the 

 Dhammo and Winayo, nevertheless gave rise to various (calamities, which were 

 like unto) excrescences, defilements, and thorns, unto the religion (of Buddho) ; 

 some of these flocked to the fire (as an object of adoration) : others scorched 

 themselves in the manner of the f Panchatdpa sect : some prostrated themselves 

 towards the sun : others began to declare (openly) " let us destroy your Dhammo 

 and Winayo." Thereupon the congregation of bbikkhus would not perform either 

 the Updsatha, or Pawdrana rites with them ; and suspended for a period of seven 

 years, the performance of the Updsatha; continuing however to dwell at the 

 Asdk&ramo wiharo (at Pdtilipura). This circumstance was reported to the 

 raja, the monarch directed this command to be signified to one of his officers. 

 * Repairing to the J wiharo and suppressing this matter, cause the performance 

 of Uposatha, to be re-established." This officer not being able to obtain any 

 further explanation from his sovereign, referring himself to the other officers of 

 state, said, " the raja is dispatching me with this command, * repairing to the 

 wiharo and suppressing this affair, cause the Uposatha to be re-established :' 

 in what manner am I to suppress this matter ?" They replied : " We think 

 thus: on any occasion that a (rebellious) province is to be reduced to subjection t 

 the traitors (who raised the rebellion) are put to death. In the same manner, 

 should there be those who refuse to perform the Updsatha, the raja must wish 

 that they should be put to death." 



Thereupon this minister repairing to the wiharo, and assembling the bhikkhus 

 thus addressed them : " I am sent by the raja, with this command, ' Cause there 

 the Updsatha to be re-established.' Lords I perform, therefore, instantly, the 

 Uposatha." The bhikkhus replied : " Together with the heretics we will not 

 perform the Updsatha." The minister, commencing from the pulpit of the chief 

 priest, with his sword chopped off the head of each (who successively refused). 



The th£ro, Tisso, observing this officer in the commission of this sacrilegious 

 act, thus thought : " The raja would not send him to slaughter the>os : most 

 assuredly this must proceed from the misapprehension of this officer ;" and 

 (rushing up) placed himself in the seat of him who had (last) fallen. He (the 

 minister) recognizing the thero (to be the brother of his sovereign) unable to 

 use his weapon, repairing to the raja, thus spoke. " D£wo I I have cut off the 

 heads of such a number of bhikkhus, who were recusant in the performance of 



* I have met with this word written Adtiganga Pabbato, which would signify 

 11 the mountain of the subterranean Ganges." 



f Having four fires around them while the sun is shining, which made tho 

 fifth fire. 



X The Asdkdrdmo wiharo at Pdtilipura named after Asoko, by whom it was 

 built, vide Mahawdnso. 



