110 



As Buddhists they could not but believe it. They were bound 

 to do so by the initial formula of their faith, which avows belief 

 in Buddha — in the sacred writings — in the priesthood.* These, the 

 "triple gems," are objects of equal, fervent adoration to the people. 

 Buddhaghosa's Comments, accepted as inspired when written, 

 became, if not a part of the Canon of the Buddhist scriptures, at 

 any rate, in the estimation of " all the theros and achariyas" his 

 contemporaries, of equal authority with the Tripitaka ; and in that 

 estimation they are still held by the majority of Buddhists. In 

 those Comments is first found the authority for the statement, that 

 Buddha left his foot-mark upon that particular spot. Reverenced 

 equally with the sacred code, and read and expounded to the laity 

 by the priests, they have thus become a portion of the foundations 

 upon which the whole superstructure of the Buddhist faith is 

 built and upheld. The foot-mark therein referred to pilgrims can 

 visit and behold for themselves. This they yearly do, flocking 

 thither daily, by various routes, hundreds and thousands at a time, 

 between the months of January and April. Eye and ear and 

 heart and mind are thus convinced ; for none but impious scoffers 

 will dare to doubt what priests affirm, what sacred books record, 

 and what the rock itself bears witness to. 



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Buddham saranam gacchami 

 Dhammam saranam gacchami 

 Sangham saranam gacchami. 



I put my trust in Buddha, 



I put my trust in Dhamma, (a) 



I put my trust in Sangha. (A) 



(a) Dhamma — the sacred law ; the Doctrines of Buddha ; the canonical 

 scriptures. 



(6) Sangha— the Priests ; the associated Priesthood. 



