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CEYLON BRANCH ROYAL ASIATIC SOCIETY. 



Goutama was spread abroad, that the blessed one was im- 

 maculate in holiness, the true and perfect Budha, acquainted 

 with all the paths of wisdom, amiable in his manners, con- 

 versant with every thing existent, subjecting all to his doc- 

 trine, the teacher of gods and men, wise and happy : who 

 having by his own wisdom investigated all things in the 

 world, including the gods, Maraya, Brahma, the multitude 

 of Samanas and Bramins, demons and men, fully understands 

 them : he proclaims his doctrines, and makes known the 

 commencement, the progress and the perfection of virtue, 

 explaining all that is wise, profitable, perfectly pure and 

 chaste. To have a sight of one thus immaculately holy is a 

 blessing. Upon hearing this, the Bramin Weranjo went to 

 the place where Bagawa resided, and having entered into 

 conversation with him, sat down near him. Being seated he 

 said, Venerable Goutama, I have heard that the Samana 

 Goutama does not reverently bow down before venerable 

 Bramins, aged, honorable, experienced, and far advanced in 

 life ; that he does not rise up in their presence and invite 

 them to be seated. This, venerable Goutama, this is not 

 consistent with propriety. 



" He replied, Bramin I perceive no person in heaven or in 

 earth, whether he be Maraya, Brahman, Samana, Bramin, 

 God or Man, whom I should reverently salute, in whose 

 presence I should rise up, or whom I should invite to be 

 seated : certainly, Bramin, were the Tatagata to salute re- 

 verently (i. e. worship) any being, reverentially rise up in his 

 presence, and invite him to be seated, the head of that person 

 would fall off." 



In this passage Goutama asserts his supremacy. All 

 beings in existence are included among the Brahmanas, who 

 inhabit the Arupa and Rupa worlds : the Marayas, who 

 .inhabit the sixth or highest heaven ; the gods, who inhabit 

 the other five heavens, und the men, Samanas, Bramins, gods 



