88 Gleanings in Buddhism. [July, 



The golden ship and its holy contents were carried in procession upon 

 the heads of thirty men, to a spot which the astrologers had fixed on." 



(These astrologers were, we may believe, Brahmans, for this tribe had 

 not then become prominently distinct as religionists until a much later 

 period, and many were Buddhists.) 



" A square excavation was then dug to the depth of a tall man's 

 height, and proportioned according to the instructions contained in the 

 sacred books. Water was next poured into the vase so as to float the 

 golden ship, and the whole, as before enumerated, were deposited at the 

 bottom of the excavation." 



In a former description the relics were placed in the centre of the 

 building. In the Mahawanso they are noticed as occupying a compart- 

 ment of the famous Anarudha temple, on a level with that ledge or 

 part of the basement where flowers were offered ; being thus considera- 

 bly above ground. 



At each corner of the square ajar or vase (emblematical perhaps of the 

 four elements) was placed underneath and filled with the venom of snakes. 

 Four priests of known sanctity consecrated the spot, and a tablet of 

 stone with an inscription upon it was fixed upright in the pit, its front 

 facing the north.* Its import was that "The King of Lanka has order- 

 ed this inscription in the language of Lanka [Magadhi ?] to be placed 

 under the Chaittya as a memorial of the erecting of the same ; and of 

 there having been four holy priests sent by him to superintend its con- 

 struction and consecrate it in due form." 



The materials were then landed, the pit was filled up with stones ; 

 and on this foundation the Chaittya was quickly built. 



The vessel now set sail for Dantapuri, which it reached in a little 

 more than three months. f The ambassadors of the king of Lanka 

 landed here along with the Prince and Princess. The two latter were 

 treated (by the ruling Prince) with much distinction, and remained in 

 that country. 



The ship returned to Lanka in forty days.| 



* This I take to be a clerical error, and that N. E. if not E. was the direction, 

 t An exaggeration for the purpose before noticed, if not a clerical error. 

 J This is nearer the mark, perhaps, therefore the foregoing- lengths of voyages are cle- 

 rical errors. Perhaps the stay at the temple is included in the time so stated. 



