_ 11 _~ 



to present a letter to the emperor of the following contents : //This is hum- 

 //bly presented to the son of Heaven, may he ever be most happy. He is 

 //averse to all that is bad and loathes what is foolish. He feels compassion 

 //with all that lives, his loving heart knows no bonnds. His appearance is 

 //imposing, his face beautiful, his body resplendent as the moon in the wa- 

 //ter, illuminating the whole world. The hair of his eyebrows is white as snow, 

 //it is shining and brilliant, also like the moon. All gods and good spirits 

 //favour him and they have sent him the true doctrine. The precious Sans- 

 //crit is generally known in his land. The walls and palaces of his impo- 

 //sing cities are high and lofty, as the monntain Gandha Madana. Religious 

 //edifices are seen everywhere; the roads are level and good, the people are 

 //numerous and delight in the security they enjoy; they dress in all kinds 

 //of clothes, jnst as the inmates of Heaven. 



//It certainly is the first of all conntries. 



//The sacred emperor thinks in compassion on all living creatures , his 

 //people are happy, his loving mind is deep and broad. His laws and in- 

 //stitntions are pnre, the true doctrine is brought down to the people and 

 //the three valuables (San pau, Triratna: Buddha, Dharma, Sangha or : Bud- 

 //dha, the Law and the Priesthood) are carefully promoted. His name and 

 //fame extend everywhere and fill the whole universe; the people joyously 

 //look up to him as to the rising moon , he may be compared to the rul er 

 //of the heaven of Brahma, men and gods all alike rely on him. 



//Reverently I do homage to the blessed Emperor, just as if I was 

 //standing before his face. 



//I have ventured to accept this kingdom as an ïnheritance from my 

 //father and now offer my most sincere wishes. 



//I send an envoy to inquire after your welfare; it was my intention 

 //to come myself, but I was afraid that the storms and waves of the large 

 //ocean woiüd make this too difficult ; now I offer some trifling presents and 

 //hope that Your Majesty will deign to accept them." 



This country , which we do not find described any where else , at least not un- 

 der the same name , lias greatly puzzled the Chinese geographers. Some have placed 

 it in Ceylon and the name would certaiiüy point to this island , but then we have, 

 in the same volume from which the above extract is taken , a description of Ceylon 

 under its ordinary name of the Country of the Lions ( *) (Singhala) , with a quite dif- 



O ffi ¥ 



