TO THE COURT OF AYA. 
291 
now came forward, and along with the husband 
took in their hands the end of a web of white 
cloth, of which the other was affixed to the head 
of the coffin. They sat down, and the friends 
and principal officers of Government joined 
them. The priest, followed by the assembly 
with their hands joined, muttered the following 
prayer, or creed, viz. 44 We worship Buddha 
44 We worship his law; 5 ’ “We worship his 
priests and then repeated the five command¬ 
ments—“ Do not kill 44 Do not steal 44 Do 
not commit adultery 64 Do not lie 44 Do not 
drink wine/’ The husband poured water upon 
the cloth from a cocoa-nut shell, pronouncing, 
after the priest, these words : 44 Let the deceas¬ 
ed, and all present, partake of the merit of the 
ceremonies now performing. 5 ’ The assembly 
pronounced the words, 44 We partake; 55 or, 
44 We accept. 55 The pouring of water upon the 
ground is considered by the Burmans the most 
solemn vow. It is as if it were calling the earth 
to witness, or rather the guardian Nat, or tute¬ 
lary spirit of the place, who, it is supposed, will 
hold the vow in remembrance, should men for¬ 
get it. Two other priests followed the first, 
repeating the same, or similar prayers and cere¬ 
monies. After this, the company retired to 
some distance, and fire was set to the funeral 
u 2 
