218 



JOUKNAL, B.A.S. (CEYLON). [Vol. VIII. 



If a man be of this mind so long as he be awake, whether 

 standing or walking, or sitting or lying, then is come to pass the 

 saying, " This place is the abode of holiness." 



He who has not embraced false doctrine, the pious man endowed 

 with a knowledge of Nirvana, if he conquers the love of pleasure 

 he shall never again be born in the womb. 



When the priest has finished his devotions he enters 

 upon the period of was with these words : — 



Imasmim vihare imam temasam vassaih upemi idha vassaih 

 upemi. 



[In this abode for three months will I dwell ; here will I have 

 my dwelling.] 



Having said this he is not at liberty to sleep during the 

 ensuing three months in any other place, except under special 

 circumstances, such as having to attend a distant eccle- 

 siastical meeting ; and under no circumstances can he 

 be away for more than six nights. 



He now retires to rest for a few hours, and rises before day- 

 break. He meditates on the virtues of Buddha on the develop- 

 ment of friendliness and goodwill towards all living beings, 

 on the impurity of the body, and on death. The manual 

 for these meditations is called the Cattdrokammattkdna* 

 He performs his meditations walking up and down in 

 his own chamber or in a cloister [cankamo] , and when his 

 meditation is over he washes his face, &c, and taking with him 

 his rug [cammakhando ; Sin. patkada] or kneeling-skin 

 (lit., strip of skin) he goes to the building or chamber which 

 for the time serves the purpose of the shrine of Buddha. As 

 already explained, a figure of Buddha or a relic-casket is 

 kept in this place : here he worships Buddha, kneeling on his 

 rug, and prostrating himself in front of the shrine, and says : 



Vandami Buddhaih bhavaparatinnam 

 Tilokaketum tibhavekanatham 

 Yo lokasettho sakalam. kilesam 

 Chetvana bodhesi janam anantam. 



* Hardy is in error when he says (" Eastern Monachism" p. 28) that 

 this book is a manual of medi tation on " Buddha, kindness, evil desire, 

 and death." 



