226 JOURNAL, R.A.S. (CEYLON). [Vol. VIIl. 



plain and simple language, taking the sutra that has been 

 read as his text. The people are at liberty to seek expla- 

 nations of any difficulty, as at the Anumodana bana. This 

 continues till the preacher has gone through the whole of the 

 matter suggested by the passage which has been read, and 

 the reading and expounding begin again as before, and are 

 followed as before by a popular sermon. The service ends 

 at daybreak, and is closed with a benediction as in the 

 Anumodana bana, . 



The Kattiko, called in Sinhalese the robe month (October 

 — November), has now begun, and on some convenient day 

 the material for the katkinam is presented. The people 

 ascertain beforehand which of the three robes the priest is 

 in need of, and they subscribe, everyone giving something, 

 to purchase the required calico or linen. 



A chapter is summoned for the appointed day, and early 

 in the morning the people bring their offering of cloth for 

 the katkinam (katkina dussam), with a procession of flags 

 and musicians, and present it to the priests in chapter 

 assembled, saying, " Imam katkina dussam sanghassa dema " 

 [" We present this robe cloth to the priesthood"]. 



The priests receive it, and consult together to determine 

 to whom it shall be given. It should be given to the one 

 who is most in want of it, but in practice it is always given 

 to the one who has been in was at the place where it is 

 presented. The question, however, is regularly put to the. 

 chapter, and a resolution [natt't] is passed allotting it to 

 him. On these occasions it is necessary that eight or ten 

 priests should assemble, as the robe must be dyed and 

 completed before sunset, and only ordained priests can be 

 engaged on the work. The laity supply everything that 

 is required— dye, scissors, thread, needles, &c. 



After the resolution has been passed, the priests proceed 

 to make the robe. The cloth is cut, if for the outer robe 

 [sangkati] into thirty pieces, if for the upper robe \utta~ 

 rasamgo] into fifteen pieces, if for the under robe 

 [antaravdsako] into fifteen pieces — and the pieces are sewn 

 together into the proper shape. The robe is then washed 



