Religion of the Ceylonese. 229 
entirely to their own superstitions, and intended as preven- 
tives against the influence of the evil spirits which surround 
them. 
The immortality of the soul, and the resurrection of the 
body, are tenets firmly believed among all the Ceylonese. They 
believe that the souls of the just are immediately after death 
admitted into the rank of gods, and that their ancient pro- 
phets and good kings are long since employed in exercising 
the powers of this station: while on the other hand, the souls 
of the wicked, particularly of unjust tyrants and impious 
priests, are supposed to have passed into wild beasts and reptiles. 
The Ceylonese are rigid predestinarians, and believe that 
people are born to their particular destinies, whether good or 
bad, without any possibility of avoiding or altering them. 
Spells and charms are indeed supposed in some measure to 
lighten the effects of appointed calamities ; and considerable 
reliance is placed on giving alms. On this account the Cey- 
lonese are very liberal in the distribution of charity. They 
consider giving presents to their priests and alms to their beg- 
gars as essential acts of goodness. The Cinglese in our service 
in particular, who have the natural ferocity of their minds 
more completely subdued, often give remarkable proofs of 
their extended good nature in these respects. It is customary 
for them even to lay by a certain proportion of their food to 
distribute among the poor ; and although distressed strangers 
are among the Indians accounted objects of very little compas- 
sion, yet a Cinglese will not shut his hand to the Malabar 
or Moor who asks him for relief. Their tenderness is at 
times extended even to the brute creation ; and it is cus- 
tomary for them to bind themselves during the continuance of 
