222 JOURNAL, K.A.S. (CEYLON). [Vol. VIII. 



[The Ten Objects. 



Thus I have heard. On a certain day Buddha dwelt at 

 Sravasti, in the Jetavana monastery, in the garden of Anatha- 

 pindika. On that occasion Buddha called the priests, and they 

 answered "Lord"; and the Blessed One thus spoke: — 



These, my priests, are the ten objects which must be continually 

 kept in view by an ordained priest : — 



1. Beauty is nothing to me, — neither the beauty of the 



body nor that that comes of dress. 



2. My very existence is dependent on the bounty of others. 



3. My way must be different from that of others. 



4. Shall not my conscience be my accuser for neglect of 



the precepts ? 



5. Will not learned and pious followers of Buddha, after 



questioning me, blame me for neglect of the precepts ? 



6. By repeated births I shall be separated from all whom I 



love, from all who are dear to me. 



7. I am bound up with karma. I am the heir of karma. 



I am born of karma. I am karma's close relation. 

 Karma is my helper. I inherit the fruit of my every 

 action, whether good or bad. 



8. How shall I pass my days and nights in this mortal life ? 



9. How comes it that I delight in abodes removed from 



the haunts of men ? 



10. Have I attained to more than human perfection ? If I 



attain to the full or perfect knowledge of sublime 

 w isdom, in my last moments I shall be able to say, in 

 a nswer to the inquiries of the righteous, that I die 

 contented. 



These, my priests, are the ten objects on which the thoughts 

 of an ordained priest should dwell. 



Thus spake the Blessed One, Those priests greatly rejoiced 

 at the words of Buddha.] 



Having finished his devotions he retires to his chamber 

 and rests. 



If any villagers desire to hear portions of the historical 

 chronicles, or of the stories of the births of Buddha, or 

 of the Three Pitakas, the priest is now ready to read to them. 

 This is called the mid-day bana. He then gives his pupils 



