No. 54.— 1903.] KING KIRTI SRI'S EMBASSY TO SI AM. 27 
two figures of the Sacred Footprint with the auspicious symbols in gold. 
In a similar hall to the west were three images. Here was depicted in 
gold our lord reposing in lion fashion in his scented room, whilst 
Anada Mahasami is approaching holding in his right hand a golden 
candlestick. 
On the four walls was depicted the Yessantara birth-story, and next 
his birth in the Thusita heaven, whence again he was begotten of King 
Suddhodana in the womb of Queen Mahamaya and was brought forth 
into the arms of gods, after which he made his Great Renunciation, 
and on his gleaming throne under the sacred Bo attained Buddhahood ; 
and, seated on the White Throne of Sakraya, he preached his 
Ahhidharma to the gods, and after receiving the offerings of the gods 
and Brahmas he descended by the divine stair to the Sakya city ; — all 
this was pictured in gilt. 
Outside the great wall of the vihare were several preaching-halls ; 
to the west of this was the residence of the Saiiga Raja. The dining- 
and preaching-halls were adorned in diverse fashions with gilding. 
One room was hung with awnings and curtains embroidered with gold, 
whilst the floor was covered with various precious carpets. There were 
vases arranged in rows filled with flowers, whilst above were hung 
circular lamps. On two thrones on eitljer side were placed two priestly 
fans : the handles of these were made of elephants' tusks, the ivory of 
which was sawn very fine like the leaves of the kus-kus, and woven 
with red velvet and thin strips of gold and silver like rushes to form 
the leaf of the fan. Two holy priests stood on either side making 
obeisance to where the Sanga Raja was. Behind a curtain curiously 
embroidered with gold was a throne on which the Sanga Raja himself 
was seated. His face was screened by a fan of golden-hued bird's 
plumes which he held in his right hand. We were led in at his com- 
mand to make our obeisance to him and to acquire merit. After we 
had made suitable offerings to him we were served with betel and 
arecanut, and were graciously praised by him for the faithful devotion 
to the Triple G-em which had brought us on this toilsome but blessed 
voyage across the dangerous sea. He was also pleased to say that 
priests would be sent to accompany us back to Lagka. 
Surrounding this spot were several houses occupied by a vast number 
of priests and Samaneras, devotees of either sex who observe dasa sil^ 
as well as a crowd of pious and courtly folk who provided daily 
offerings. 
After all this we were taken back to our halting-place in the evening. 
Eight days later, being Monday the eighth day of the waning moon, two 
officers came and accompanied us to a vihare which was full of priests' 
houses. Here we saw a building of three stages the tiles on the roof of 
which were gilt and appeared as a mass of hmiliiriya flowers. In 
front of this were two golden dagabas. Having made our obeisance to 
these, we rested a short time in a hall here ; after which we were 
invited to a two-storied hall where we were received with every mark 
of respect by the second snb-king and several Ministers of State, and 
were entertained with our attendants at a feast and subsequen^y with 
betel and arecanut. Then several dancers in various gold-worked 
costumes were brought in to sing and dance before us ; after which we 
were taken back to our resting place. 
On the morning of the next day two officers came from the palace 
and took us on horseback to the town. We arrived at a street one side 
of which was occupied by two-storied buildings and variously gilt 
