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DREADFUL CONSEQUENCES OF 



ther this was true or a mere invention of some anprincipled vil- 

 lager, the old man did not care to enquire, he was but too ready to 

 believe what he had all along strongly suspected. When he heard 

 it, he was maddened with anger. He could not bear the idea of his 

 beloved son being snatched away from him by foul play. He had 

 taken great pains and had been put to considerable expence in train- 

 ing his favorite son to the profession of an astrologer, and to be thus 

 suddenly disappointed, just as he was about to reap the reward of 

 all his labours in the fame and glory of his son, was past all human 

 endurance, especially the endurance of our old carpenter, who sel- 

 dom raised his chisel or his adze without consulting an astrologer 

 for an auspicious hour. The old man burning with rage and resent- 

 ment, resolved to have his revenge. He had a neighbour who, 

 being something of a sportsman, had a gun. He had also a mango 

 tree in his compound, the fruit of which was every day devoured 

 by monkeys, so he asked his neighbour for the loan of his gun to 

 drive off these troublesome robbers. Every day, when monkeys 

 were seen on or near his mango tree, he took out the gun, loaded it 

 carefully, and first levelling it at the intruding monkeys, turned 

 and fired it in a different direction ; for it was a great sin to kill 

 animals, especially monkeys. Besides, he was an Upasakaya* 



* An Upasakaya is a religious Buddhist, or at least one who professes to be 

 so, by the observance of certain precepts of Buddha called Sil or Seela. These 

 precepts or obligations are. 



1. Do not take away life. 



2. Do not take that which is not given. 



3. Do not commit adultery. 



4. Do not speak that which is not true. 



5. Do not use intoxicating liquors. 



6. Do not use solid food after mid -day. 



7. Do not attend at dancing, singing, music, and masquerades. 



8. Do not adorn the body with flowers, perfumes, or unguents. 



9. Do not use seats above the prescribed height. 

 10. Do not receive gold or silver. 



Of these the first five, called Pan Sil or Pancka Sccla, are considered to be ob- 

 ligatory on all. These five with the next three, forming eight Obligations, are 

 called Ata jSil, One professing to observe these eight is called an Upasakaya, 



