98 CEYLON BRANCH— ROYAL ASIATIC SOCIETY. 



had left, and addressing him, requested to be received as a 

 priest, assigning as the reason of his request, that so far as 

 he had understood his discourse, he was convinced that he 

 could not walk in that path of purity, except by forsaking 

 the concerns of the world, and devoting himself to religion. 

 Budha asked if he had obtained the consent of his parents 

 to his forsaking the world and becoming a priest, as no 

 young man could be admitted without that consent being 

 expressed. He replied that he had not received his parents' 

 permission, but he would obtain it. He accordingly returned 

 home, and informed them of what had taken place, requesting 

 their consent to the step he proposed taking : but to this 

 they were decidedly opposed, and said, Sudinna, you are our 

 beloved and only son, in whom we delight ; you have been 

 carefully and delicately brought up, and have known no 

 hardship. We are not willing to be separated from you, even 

 by death ; how then, while you live, can we consent to your 

 forsaking the world, and becoming a priest. Eat and drink, 

 Sudinna, enjoy yourself with your companions, perform 

 virtuous actions, and be happy. We will not give our con- 

 sent. Having repeatedly urged his request without effect, 

 he threw himself on the bare ground, declaring, that if they 

 did not accede to his wishes he would die on the spot. He 

 remained in this position about three days, taking no suste- 

 nance, and giving no answer to the remonstrances of his 

 parents, or young companions. At length his friends reasoned 

 with the parents, saying, Sudinna is lying on the bare 

 ground, and will either become a priest, or die there. If you 

 still withhold your consent, he will die on the spot ; but if 

 you give your consent, you will at least see him after he has 

 become a priest, and should he afterwards become dissatisfied 

 Avith that state, he will return to you again. Upon these 

 remonstrances they gave a reluctant consent, and the young 

 man returning to Budha was admitted to his noviciate, and 



