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



decorated for the occasion, and a gorgeous canopy, in the 

 shape of a Chinese pagoda, is erected over the pulpits, which 

 are placed on a raised platform. Temporary lodgings for 

 the invited priests are put up round the preaching hall. 



The invited priests are told to assemble at some con- 

 venient place in the afternoon, where the people go out to 

 meet them. They are brought in procession, preceded 

 by musicians and dancers, and are conducted to the refectory, 

 where the evening meal is served with the same formalities 

 as are observed, where several priests are assembled, at 

 the beginning of was. They are then conducted in procession 

 to the preaching hall, with the pirit book and a relic-casket. 

 The priests go in single file, each priest holding his hand- 

 screen before his face. When the procession has reached 

 the hall, some of the leading laymen place the book and 

 the relic-casket on a raised platform in front of the 

 pulpit, and the priests then take their seats on the plat- 

 form round the pulpits. No deacon or layman is allowed 

 on the platform, which is made only of sufficient size to 

 accommodate the number of priests who are invited. 



The priests being seated, a layman standing near the 

 principal entrance says, addressing the priests on behalf of 

 the people : — 



Vipatti patibahaya 

 Sabbasampatti siddhiya 

 Sabbadukkhavinasaya 

 Parittarii brutka mangalam. 



This is repeated three times, substituting for dukkha in 

 line 3, bhaya the second time, and roga the third time. 



[To keep misfortune far away, 

 To bring us all good fortune, 

 To destroy all disease, fear, sorrow, 

 Recite the glorious pirit, ~\ 



One of the priests then gives the Three Refuges and the 

 Five Commandments. When this is over some of the lay- 

 men burn incense round the platform, and the musicians who 

 are kept outside the hall strike up an inspiriting air. 



