1867] The Pegu Pagoda. 113 



(about 582 B. C.) whilst he was tarrying in the Makkoola Hill near 

 the source of the Thalwon (Gwon-zaleng) river, he was visited by two 

 pilgrims from Zoungdoo* named Mahathala and Tsoolathala, the sons 

 of Pientaka, a wealthy merchant of that town. The brothers made 

 many offerings. Gaudama, being desirous of requiting them, and at 

 the same time of establishing his religion in their country, shook his 

 head, and presented to the brothers two hairs which adhered to his 

 hands, directing them to enshrine the same on the Thoodathana- 

 Myeng-theeta Hill which lay to the west of the Hanthawadie Hill. 

 The two brothers being ignorant of the locality of these hills, Gaudama 

 described them as surrounded by the sea, from which they had but 

 lately emerged, and promised that they should be pointed out by the 

 Nats and Brahmas. Gaudama then prophesied that in the 1116th year 

 of his religion, and the year 514 of the secular era, two brothers, named 

 Thamala and Wiemala, would found the city of Hanthawadie to the east 

 of the Thoodathana-Myeng-theeta Hill, and that his religion would 

 flourish there. 



The two brothers, Mahathala and Tsoolathala, then took ship and 

 conveyed the sacred relics, enclosed in a casket provided for the 

 purpose by the Thagya king of their native town, where they were 

 received with great rejoicing. After holding high festival for seven 

 months and seven days, they proceeded to obey the instructions they 

 i had received, by enshrining the relics on the Thoodathana Hill. 

 Guided by the miraculous power of the Nats and Brahmas, they speedily 

 arrived at the spot, and then they prayed that an omen might be given 

 if that was indeed the very place. In answer to their prayers, the 

 great earth shook. This not only supplied the desired information, 

 but called down a host of Nats and Brahmas from the upper regions 

 to take part in the enshrinement of the relics. By them the shrine 

 was thus prepared. At the bottom of a pit ten cubits square was 

 laid a slab of pearly white marble, set with diamonds. A similar slab, 

 set with emeralds, was prepared to cover the mouth of the pit. In 

 the centre of the bottom slab the Thagya king placed a golden 

 cradle, round which were ranged images of the chief disciples of 

 Gaudama, each holding a golden bouquet. These disciples were 

 Thaicapootra, Mawgalan, Theeree Maha Maya, Theeree Thoodaw- 

 # A place which still exists upon the Pegu river, about 20 miles above Pegu. 



