136 CEYLON BRANCH— ROYAL ASIATIC SOCIETY, 



course from the Pitakas. Budha then arose from his seat, and 

 attended by his priests, returned to the monastery. 



In the evening when the priests were assembled in the hall 

 of instruction they began to converse on the perfections of Budha, 

 saying, Friends, Maha Pant'haka being ignorant of the capabi- 

 lities of Chulla Pant'haka turned him out of the monastery as 

 being stupid and unable in four months to learn one verse ; but 

 Budha, the Supreme Lord of Instruction, has during the time 

 occupied by one meal caused him to become a Rabat, acquainted 

 with the doctrines of the three Pitakas. Budha being aware 

 of the conversation went to the place, and ascending his throne 

 radiated forth his six-coloured splendor, as the morning sun 

 over the Yugandhara mountain allumines the depths of the sea. 

 Upon his entrance the conversation ceased and the priests re- 

 mained silent Budha looked mildly around him and thought : 

 This assembly is exceedingly seemly : there is not a hand nor a 

 foot stirred, nor the slightest sound heard: all these are awed by 

 the dignity and glory of Budha: were I to sit here till the con- 

 clusion of my life they would not speak first, therefore it behoves 

 me to commence the conversation. Speaking therefore with a 

 mild voice like that of Brahma, he enquired respecting the con- 

 versation in which they were engaged when he entered the hall. 

 They informed him, upon which he said, At this time, priests, 

 Chulla Pant'haka through me has become great in religion, 

 formerly through me he became great in riches. At the request 

 of the priests he then revealed that which was hidden in past 

 transmigrations. 



Formerly, when Brahmadatta, King of Kasi, reigned in Be- 

 nares, Bodisat was born of a noble family, and when he came 

 of age he was made a nobleman of the king's court and was 

 called Chullaka Sett'ha: he was wise, skilful, and expert in 

 understanding omens. One day, while going to attend on the 

 King, he saw a dead rat in the middle of the street, and con- 

 sidering the attending circumstances, he said, A wise man taking 



