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CEYLON BRANCH— ROYAL ASIATIC SOCIETY. 



desires, careful not to do wrong, and will be dubious respect- 

 ing very small matters. The words I then used referred to 

 unappropriated wood, in the forests : remember that timber 

 was not included in that grant. But how can a person of 

 my character punish any Samana or Bramin residing in my 

 kingdom with public reprimand, or by imprisonment, or by 

 banishment : go my lord, you have escaped by the hair of 

 your skin ; but do not act so again. 



The circumstance becoming public, the people spoke dis- 

 respectfully and contemptuously of the priesthood, saying, 

 these Bikshns, the sons of Sakya, are shameless wicked liars r 

 • by this we see what kind of holy, righteous, pure, truth-tell- 

 ing, virtuous, good men they are. They are destitute of all 

 virtue, for if they thus cheat the king, what will they not do 

 to the people ? 



The priests heard these remarks, and such of them as were 

 moderate in their desires, contented, self-denying, and 

 desirous of giving no offence, murmured and complained, say- 

 ing, How could the venerable Dhaniyo, the potter's son, 

 take the king's timber, when it was not given to him ? They 

 accordingly stated the case to Budha, who convened an as- 

 sembly of the priests, and questioned Dhaniyo, saying, Is it 

 true, Dhaniyo, that you have taken the king's timber when 

 it was not given to you ? He acknowledged the fact ; upon 

 which Budha severely reprimanded him, for his unholy, un- 

 priestlike conduct, which, instead of conciliating opponents 

 and strengthening the attachment of friends, had a tendency 

 directly the reverse. 



There was seated near Budha an old priest, who had for- 

 merly held the office of prime minister under the king of 

 Magadha. Budha inquired of him, for what amount stolen a 

 thief would be sentenced to corporal punishment, imprison- 

 ment, or banishment. He replied, For -a pado, or property 



