20 



JOURNAL R. A. S. (CEYLON), [YoL. II., PART I. 



A Discourse to some Inhabitants of Weranja. 



Thus*T heard. On one occasion Bhagawa resided near Sewet 

 in a monastery founded by Anathapincliko at Jetawana. Some 

 Brahmins and cultivators of Weranja having arrived at Sewet 

 on business, heard respecting Bhagawa that the Samana Gotamo 

 of the Sakya race had left his Sakya connections, and retired 

 from secular life, and that he was then residing near Sewet in 

 the monastery founded by Anathapincliko at Jetawana. They 

 also heard that the voice of his fame had ascended, proclaiming 

 that this illustrious person is perfectly holy, all-wise, skilled in 

 all science, unimpeachable in conduct, acquainted with all 

 existing objects the supreme director and controller of men, 

 the preceptor of all beings human and divine, the Buddha, the 

 Illustrious One. He, by his own inherent wisdom, has fully 

 ascertained and developed the nature of the universe, including 

 the gods, Marayas, Brahmas, Sages, and Brahmins, and the 

 assemblage of princes and people. He makes known his 

 doctrines, excellent in their principles, excellent in their develop- 

 ment, and excellent in their final results, replete with instruction 

 and eloquence, and enforces a completely perfect and immaculate 

 course of virtuous conduct. It is highly desirable to have an 

 interview with so eminently holy a person. 



The Brahmins and cultivators of Weranja accordingly went 

 to the residence of Bhagawa. Some of them worshipped him 

 and sat down; others entered previously into pleasing conver- 

 sation with him ; some, placing their joined hands to their 

 foreheads, bowed reverently; some announced their names and 

 family connections, and others sat down silently. When they 

 were seated they said : " What is the reason, Gotamo, and what 

 is the cause, why some beings upon the dissolution of the 

 system by death are reproduced in hell, the abode of wretched- 

 ness, misery, and continued anguish ; and why others are 

 reproduced in the heavenly world the abode of happiness?" 



