No 25-~1882s] BUDDHA.^ * SERMON OJ5 . 2£>'t 



' The soul of one unshaken by the changes of this life, a 

 soul inaccessible to sorrow, passionless, secure, this is the great- 

 est blessing (this is the best omen or these are the best omens). 



' They that do these things are invincible on every side, on 

 every side they walk in safety, yea, theirs is the greatest bless- 

 ing, (theirs are the best omens).' " 



It may be remarked, how could such distinguished 

 scholars as Gogerly and Childers have committed such a mistake 

 as the one referred to ? The matter is easily explained. They 

 have evidently translated the word mangalan in its ordinary 

 sense,* without referring to the commentary which explains 

 the special sense in which the word is used in this discourse. 

 This is not to be wondered at, seeing that even some of the 

 learned Buddhist Priests of the present day commit the same 

 mistake and interpret the discourse simply as a series of moral 

 maxims. Strangely enough, this discourse is used by Buddhists 

 even for purposes of superstition, such as, exorcism, etc. It is 

 so used by the Kandyan Buddhists according to Mr. C. J. R. 

 LeMesurier, C.C.S., who, by the way, calls it " the Sutra of 

 Festivals" which might lead one to suppose that it has some 

 connection with the various Kandyan Hindu Festivals, which 

 he describes in his account of " The Principal Religious Cere- 

 monies observe'd by the Kandyans of Ceylon," f 



It is only when this discourse is viewed by the light thrown 

 on it by the commentary, that it appears in its true character, 

 -as one of the most powerful exposures of Hindu superstition on 

 record. 



* Mangalo (adj.) 'Auspicious,' 'lucky, "joyous,' 'festive,' 'belonging to state 

 occasions,' Ab. 88. Ma>jgala%i, 'rejoicing,' 'festival,' 'festivity,' 'holiday,' 'festive 

 ceremony' (Dh. 247) 'blessing,' 'boon' (Kb. 5). — Childer's Pali Dictionaiy, 

 Vol. I., p. 237. 



Mangalya, 3Iangalyah } Mangalya, Mangalyan. 'Auspicious,' 'propitious,' 

 'conferring happiness,' 'prosperity,' 'beautiful,' 'pleasing,' 'agreeable,' 'pure,' 

 'pious.' — Wilson's Sanskrit Dictionary, Second Edition, p. 631. 



f C. A. S, Journal, Vol. VII., Pt. I., No. 23, 1881, p. 89, 



