OBSEQUIES, 
368 ' 
decease of the person. Meats and even ardent spirits are laid at the 
side of the tomb, and the manes are invited to partake of them. Flow¬ 
ers are likewise strewed over the grave. The relations, or the Imams, 
repeat set forms of prayer, and the former make such lamentations 
as the degree of grief, or affectation of it, induces. The Siamese in¬ 
voke or call on the manes of their parents, while yet alive y to aid 
them on pressing occasions. 
The Milinda Raja contains nine injunctions respecting the per¬ 
formance of funeral rites and the blessing derived thereby to the per¬ 
former—K,hanta (Canta) or Chapter, Aneesongsa, 1st Sood,hatt,hec - 
ktmg-tjiasa sahatsang. The person who finding a corpse floating 
on the Waters piously affords to it the accustomed ceremonies will, 
after death, be rewarded ten thousand fold. 
2nd. SJiooIcIcJia t Jiang weesa sahatsang. —It is nearly of equal 
efficacy should a person bury or hum the remains of a pauper. 
3d, Patee wee-setee tee-t,hasa sahatsang, 
4th. Waiya wachang. 
5th. Ootihhama takang (chattoo t,halsa sahatsang.) 
6th. Yateena (att,ha t,hatsa sahatsang.) The performance of 
obsequies to the remains of brethren is followed by many benefits. 
7th. Mata peetoonang (satt,ha sahatsang.) The duty o£ punc¬ 
tually performing the obsequies to the mortal remains of parents is 
so obvious, that the merit is considered less here than in any of the 
other instances. 
8th. Sangk,hang ak,hantoo kang (att,ha satt,ha sahatsang.) If 
the deceased died a poor Priest the benefits arising to the pious ere- 
mater are increased to a great amount. V 
9th. And when it is the body of a KJiroo-pacha Achwnya , or spi¬ 
ritual guide of superior sanctity, the rewards awaiting those who per¬ 
form the funeral rites arc innumerable. 
It is rather, singular that with all their veneration for the dead, 
; the Siamese have no family names or titles. Few therefore can trace 
back their dessent above two generations. 
