40 JOURNAL, it. A. S. (CEYLON). [Yol. YII, Pt. 1. 



neighbourhood, to a bo- tree, where a god is supposed to 

 reside, and carried by a villager^ dressed to represent an angel) 

 in many-coloured cloths and a Kandyan hat. The priests, 

 except those who are reading, accompany the procession if 

 desired. A portion of the water from the bowl in the hall is 

 taken too; and this is sprinkled over any sick persons that 

 may be met with along the way. On arrival at the dew&le, 

 the letter is presented, and is hung upon the wall. The pro^ 

 cession returns; and the " angel" reports at the door of the 

 hall that he has presented the letter, and that the gods have 

 come. One of the priests blesses the gods, and the Mangala 

 Sutra is read over once, after which the A'tanatiya frutra is 

 read over and over again by fours till dawn. The ceremony is 

 then at an end; and the priests are conducted back to their 

 residence. 



9. — Godana Mangalyaya : the ceremony performed for the 

 very aged, or those who are about to die. The relations of the 

 dying man are assembled, and offerings of different kinds are 

 collected. These consist sometimes of cattle, sometimes of 

 furniture, such as the bed of the sick man, sometimes of his 

 implements of agriculture or of his trade, but more often they 

 are merely cloths, robes> fans, etc. 



The priest of the neighbouring pansala (residence of the 

 priesthood), and any others that may be selected, are summoned 

 and entertained; and the offerings are made to them. They 

 read a portion of the scriptures suitable to the occasion, and 

 bless the sick man; after which, escorted by the assembled 

 company, they depart with their presents. 



10. — Mataka Dana : the ceremony of conferring merit on 

 the dead. 



On the seventh day after death the priest of the neighbouring 

 pansala is invited back, and is entertained as before. Bana is 

 read till midnight, when he retires. In the morning after the 

 early meal a cloth is presented to him, and he is escorted by 



