No. 29.— 1884.] BUDDHISTICAL CEREMONIES. 



209 



The whole multitude then fall on their knees in adoration, 

 and the priest gives the benediction (Sin. "gives merit' ') in 

 Pali, in the following sense, saying : — 



Icchitam patthitam tuyharii 



Khippam eva samijjhatu 



Purentu cittasamkappa 



Cando pannarasi yatha 



[May your desire and your happiness 



Soon be accomplished ! 



May your hopes be fulfilled 



Like as the moon becomes round !] 



According to the ancient ritual no more is required ; but as 

 the people do not know Pali, the priest adds in Sinhalese : — 



" By virtue of the offerings now made for the sake of the Blessed 

 One, who is like unto the sun of the worlds of gods and men, the 

 omniscient Buddha, and of this second offering made to the priest- 

 hood, which is like a field of merit, henceforth, freed from the 

 dangers of birth in the place of torment, or in the world of beasts, 

 or in the world of sprites, or in the world of the fallen angels, 

 may you inherit the bliss of those who ascend and descend through 

 the worlds of gods till you are born again in the world of men. 

 Here may you possess wealth and riches, flocks and herds, 

 servants and horses, and enjoy to your full content the prosperity 

 of a universal monarch, or a king, or some great noble, free from 

 the exactions of kings and the dangers of flood and fire, the 

 attacks of thieves and the ravages of rats and insects, till the 

 coming of Maitri Buddha, by whose blessed teaching you will be 

 brought to walk in the way that leads to Nirvana, the eternal 

 repose of the righteous who have seen Buddha. " 



The people then respond with one accord " Sddhu ! sddhuH 

 ["It is good! it is good ! "], and rising from their knees, 

 depart, leaving the priest to his meal. 



If one priest only is present, nothing is said by the 

 people who make the offerings ; but if five or more are 

 present they say : — 



Imaih bhesajjadanaih imaya salaya nisinnassa buddha pamukassa 

 sakalassa bhikkhu sanghassa dema. 



[We give this evening meal to all the priests of Buddha who 

 are sitting in this hall.] 



