210 JOURNAL, R.A.S. (CEYLON). [Vol. VIII. 



This is repeated three times. The relic-casket on such 

 occasions is placed at the top of the hall, on a raised 

 platform, with a table to serve as an altar in front. 



One of the priests rises up and makes an offering of part 

 of the food, and pours some water from a flagon into a chalice, 

 repeating the following ancient stanzas, which, however, 

 are not found in the Tripitakam (Buddhist Scriptures): — 

 Adhivasetu no bhante 

 Bhesajjath parikappitam. 

 Anukampam upadaya 

 Patiganhatu muttamam 

 Sugandham italaih kappam 

 Pasannamadhuraih subham 

 Panlyam etaih bhagava 

 Patiganhatu nayako. 

 [Let our Lord favourably receive 

 This well-prepared meal : 

 Let him graciously 

 Accept this excellent offering : 

 This water, sweetly-scented, cool, and good, 

 Clear, and sweet, and bright, 

 Let the Blessed One, 

 The chief (of the worlds), accept !] 

 He then turns from the altar, and kneeling down close to 

 the food which has been offered to the priesthood, proceeds 

 to allot it to the assembled priests, who are seated on either 

 side of the altar, saying, as he sets apart a portion for the 

 senior of the priests present : — 



Ayam pathamabhago mahatherassa papunati avasesa bhaga 



amhakam papunanti. 

 [This first portion belongs to the Mahathero, the remaining 



portions belong to us.] 

 This is repeated three times. It is an ecclesiastical 

 act, which can only be performed by priests who are pure, i.e. 

 who at the time are not liable to censure for any offence 

 against the laws of the priesthood. If any one liable to such 

 censure is present, he must retire, in which case a portion of 

 the food will be given him apart. The priests' servants, 

 or some of the principal villagers, now come and give the 



