CEYLON BRANCH — ROYAL ASIATIC SOCIETY. 133 



This dulness was the result of his previous conduct: for* 

 merly, in the time of Kassapa Budha he was a wise priest, 

 but seeing one who was dull and unable to learn he derided 

 him, and that priest, disheartened by being treated with con- 

 tempt by his superior in wisdom, was not able to make any 

 proficiency. In consequence of this conduct he himself, being 

 a priest, was unable to commit to memory one part of the 

 verse after the other. After he had endeavoured for four months 

 to *learn this verse without success Maha Pant'haka said to 

 him, Pant'haka you are not fit for the priesthood : in four 

 months you have not been able to learn this one verse: how 

 then will you be competent to perform the duties of a priest ? 

 Go and live in some other place. Chulla Pant'haka, how- 

 ever, was attached to the priestly life and did not desire to 

 return to secular business. 



At this time Maha Pant'haka superintended the provisions of 

 the monastery, and Jivaka the Kumara Banda brought perfumes 

 and flowers to the garden which he presented to Budha. After 

 having heard a discourse delivered by Budha he went to Maha 

 Pant'haka and enquired how many priests were in the monas- 

 tery, and learning that there were 500 he requested that Budha 

 with the 500 priests would dine at his house the next day s 

 Maha Pant'haka replied, I accept the invitation for all except 

 Chulla Pant'haka who is dull and unable to learn. Chulla 

 Pant'haka hearing this thought, My brother's love is certainly 

 withdrawn from me : What profit can I now derive from being 

 a priest ? I will return to secular life, give alms and perform 

 virtuous actions. Early next morning when Budha arose he 

 intellectually beheld the state of the world and the circum- 

 stances which were occuring, and perceiving the intentions of 

 Chulla Pant'haka he went out, and walked before the door in 

 the path in which Chulla Pant'haka must go. When the latteK 

 came out of his room he saw Budha, and approaching him 

 worshipped him, Budha then said, Where are you going ChulJ$ 



