CEYLON BRANCH—ROYAL ASIATIC SOCIETY. 81 



itand it, and causing them to acknowledge its excellence. At 

 that time there was seated in the assembly a young man named 

 Rattapala of a noble family in Tullakotitang in whose mind the 

 following thoughts arose : as far as I understand the doctrines 

 preached by Bagawa, it is exceedingly difficult for one dwelling 

 in a family to maintain fully, holily, purely, this course of sanc- 

 tity. It is advisable for me, cutting off the hair and beard, 

 and putting on yellow garments, to forsake family life and be- 

 come a houseless priest. 



Then the Bramins and cultivators of Tullakotitang having 

 been instructed by Bagawa in a religious discourse, having 

 been caused to embrace the doctrine, their minds being invi- 

 gorated to understand it and acknowledge its excellence, being 

 delighted with the discourse of Bagawa, and having received 

 his doctrine, arose from their seats, and having bowed to him, 

 passed by his right side and departed. But Rattapala soon 

 after their departure came to the place where Bagawa was, and 

 having worshipped him and sat down said, As far as I un- 

 derstand the doctrine taught by Bagawa, it is difficult for one 

 residing in a family to preserve in a perfectly complete, holy 

 and unsullied manner this course of sanctity, let me obtain, 

 my J^ord, tp be admitted as a priest near Bagawa ; let me 

 obtain full ordination. 



Rattapala, are you permitted by your mother and father to 

 forsake family life and become a houseless priest? No, my 

 Lord, I have not been permitted by my mother and father, 

 to forsake family life and become a houseless priest. Then p 

 Rattapala, the Tatagata does not make those priests who are 

 not permitted by their mother and father. I will, my Lord;, 

 do that by which my mother and father will permit me to 

 forsake family life and become a houseless priest. 



Then the honorable youth Rattapala arose from his seat, and 

 liaving worshipped Bagawa, and passed by his right side, de» 

 parted, and went to his parents, and said to them 3, Father and 

 



