the Phra-Chedi (the holy Chaitya or Pagoda) Chulamani* (the precious diadem of hair) in Traidungsa (Daodungsa or the heaven of setting stars), encircled by the shephada (Devada), whom I reverentially bear on my head. I offer up and bow down before (the figure of) Phra-Patima in his golden abode, the Lord of the three praises, the refuge of all beings. I present offerings to the Phra-Phuttha Rub in the Phra-Sathub (Dagoba) of the Phra-Chedi (Pagoda), the Prasat (palace) of the Vihan (monastery). I present myself in offerings of humble service,-I present myself wholly and entirely.

Having done worshipping, having finished the offerings, I pray to become perfect in wisdom, to know all kinds of sciences without error and mistake, after having been born in the next existence for seven years. When I shall have accomplished all knowledge of letters, I pray that I may become well versed in the Trai-Pidok, that I may be able to answer every one's questions, to solve all riddles proposed, that I may know the Trai-Phet (three Vedas) and the Sinlaprasta (the magic of the stones). May I be blessed to meet Pra Sijahn (Sri-Ariya or Arimathiya, the future Buddha) in the next existence. May I be surrounded by numberless attendants; if 11,110 follow, it will be enough. May I be so shiningly beautiful, as to move all hearts, like those women, who having taken holy orders, shall be reborn relucent of radiant beauty, in recompense for their pious deeds, and by virtue thereof. May I become great and mighty, of such power, that even Phra-Phrohm (Brahma) could never put any obstacles in my way. And when the circle of transmigrations leads me to be reborn again in a new existence, I pray, that I may become Buddha, and attain the holy law, pervading all existence,-that I may become equal to the perfected ones in the world.

Now in regard to these people here, who are called respectively Ming, Behn, Sok by their surnames, they desire to become handsome and delicate in figure, of such a shape, as it makes women beloved. This prayer I put in, on behalf of the aforesaid persons of the village Tabungkram. And two of them, Ming and Behn, have still another wish in their heart, namely: to become rich in honours and dignities, beautiful like painted pictures. May they, on leaving the present existence, which is an imperfect and unsatisfactory one to them, may

* Built by Indra over Gautama's hair, which he cut off with his sword,

they hereafter be reborn as brothers, and may the sinful consequences which have separated them, be exhausted, so that they will remain together and united always, and that ultimate death shall take them away simultaneously at one and the same day with their wives. May there be no grief, no sorrow then, as now oppresses them, now in the present existence, when the bones of mother and child are buried under a Phra-Chedi, which is erected above them, as a meritorious work. May mother and child remain united in the next existence.

And furthermore, there is a person here, called Im, who has restored a venerable Phra (idol), which had fallen in ruins, and lay there all cut to pieces. It had broken its neck; its hands and feet were lost. He built it up anew, he mended it, he made it handsome and pretty. It was covered with gold, it was surrounded by other Phra, 137 in number. All these figures, great and small, were clothed in a twofold set of garments; they had their praises written upon them. And after that, meritorious works were performed in the Phra-Chedi, which also had been rebuilt and embellished. For five ordinations the expenses were paid, and a Phra of gold was placed in remembrance. A great deal of money has been expended, the monks have been loaded with presents, a Vihan and a preaching-hall have been adorned, a priest was helped on in his consecrations, a slave was liberated, and all the other works of merits cannot be counted: they are too numerous. How often alms have been given is beyond recollection; times innumerable presents were brought to the priests. And these priests, after having received their presents, have vouchsafed pardon for all faults committed, have promised indemnity from all misfortunes. I pray to the Lord, that happiness may be in store for me, and that in the coming existence I may enjoy my blissful state, without being pestered by people who are envious of it. May I go through the future existences, free of calamities, full of wisdom and knowledge. May no sickness befall me. May I happily live, joined to my wife and my children, and attain a high and serene age, not knowing mishaps. May the evil consequences of former sins not reach me, may I never be oppressed by poverty. May I remain liberated from hell for ever. May my thoughts, now small and narrow, expand in the next existence, that I may understand the precepts

(sila) well and thoroughly, that I may never break them, nor commit trespasses. May wisdom be with me always. May I never be in want of relations; nay, may I be blessed with many of them. May I possess plenty of servants. May no slanders pollute me. May I never do a stupid thing. May I speak kindly and softly to every one I chance to meet. May I be preserved from dealings with fools. May I never be born poor and indigent, but only in rich and noble families. May I well understand my business. May my memory be a good one. May nothing frightful happen to me. May nobody hate me. May the punishments, awaiting for sinful deeds of former vices, not hurt me. In speaking to nobles and monks, may my words be right and proper. Should animals be killed unknowingly, may I be pardoned. May there be an end of grief and sorrow. May I depart life, surrounded by my friends, not abandoned and alone. May the sins I might have committed in the present existence, not call for retribution in the next one. May I never be tempted to treat great men and learned teachers in an insolent and impudent manner. I beg pardon for all errors I might be guilty against the holy priesthood, Phra-Phuttha, Phra-Thamr (Dhamma). I beg pardon for all my faults. I beg pardon for any breach of the precepts. I beg pardon for rudeness and roughness of mind. I beg pardon, if ever I have fostered revenge. I beg pardon for lies I have spoken. May I be prosperous in every existence, and always meet with people of rank and dignity. I beg pardon for all errors, committed in words or in acts. May I be secured against evil and misfortunes in my next existences. May there be no terror, no fear and trembling. May never aristocratic tyrants bully me. May I never be threatened by enemies in any of the existences to come. May I not suffer complaints in the next existence, neither baldness nor elephantiasis. May no sores or ulcers disfigure my body. May I not be ugly. I beg pardon, if I have allowed to be tempted by bad inclinations. May evil never come upon me, neither now nor in future. May I always enjoy handsome women. May nothing bad cross my way. When this existence shall be finished, may there never be any more sorrow, may I roll in undisturbed bliss. May the sinful consequences of former deeds, may the torments threatening therefrom, be delayed and put off. May I be re-born handsome and fine. May I never be imprisoned,

never be bound nor fettered. As it is said in the verses of Phromakut "Hao kha ti di," and in the Pali, raising my hands, I pray for wisdom. I, a person, to whom they have given the name Xai, I pray, that all evils of old and of the past may be finished, that I may be renewed to preach the words of the Lord in the next existence, to lead all beings on the road to Niphan. May I enjoy blessedness countless numbers of years in the existences to come, and then, performing works of merit with virtuous mind, may I attain to PhraSian-Metray (Arimathia). May I be pervaded by benevolence all over, may I show a charitable disposition continually, till the beating of the heart shall cease. As long as blood and eyes remain, may I accomplish good works. May I always be of a joyful mind, resembling Phra-Vixa-Thon* (Chea-tor) and always give alms to the Pret (Pretas), feeding them with blood and flesh. May the Shephada Kowand keep account of all the alms I give. May Phrohm likewise see them and be attentive to keep account. May I receive plenty of joy and felicity, in recompense for these alms. May it please one of the Shephadas to throw down a heavenly sword, because I ardently wish to cut my flesh and skin, to give it in alms piecemeal, to feed the Pret, that they may be satiated and get enough of it. May Phra-Phakava (Bhagavat) and Phra Thamr also know about all these virtuous deeds. May I become like Phra Siahn. I present flowers to Bhagavat and worship in offering them. May I know thoroughly all rules and precepts, like the Upaxa (the ordainer of novices). May I become guide to the beings, my contemporaries; may I be a leader to them in the Lord's religion, during my future existence. The present existence is an imperfect one, my frailties cause me to deviate from the road of truth; I pray for greater perfection in the next existence; I pray for wisdom, so as to penetrate all things, so as to surpass all other men; I pray for wisdom sufficient to solve all difficulties, for wisdom, equal to that of Neakkhasen (Nágasena or Nágárjuna), who with ease and without hesitation explained the questions and riddles put to him by Krom-Malin (Milinda). May the good works of former existences help me on to be re-born in a lucky state. May the Shephada come to my assistance and favour me. May I become benevolent, good-natured and liberal, free of avarice,

* Alchymists adore him, as the possessor of the magic stone, consisting of solid mercury, which is supposed to convert base metals into gold.

may I feel disposed to give alms, to do virtuous and meritorious works incessantly. And furthermore I pray particularly to possess that special wisdom vouchsafed to Taminsheah when still in the state of man, that wisdom which enabled him to solve all the problems invented by Nonthea-Sack in Nirupai, when, overcome by the prince of meritorious glory, he was made his slave and inspired by fear, and followed him as his servant. Thus he became the prince Apangtirat; and then a prince called on the Lord Viroxar, who at command received the name of Manang-Taek, because he used coarse and repulsive words, and did not know to speak properly by reason of his having been a garrulous and talkative fellow in one of his former existences. May I obtain a virtuous mind like Phra-Demiah (Temi),* who patiently bore all the trials his father put him to. I pray to obtain wisdom equal to that of Phra-Kala when born as Mahosot, whose wisdom, surpassing the wisdom of everybody else, being equalled by none, overcame Phra-Chulani. May I give alms, rich alms and freely, in the same spirit as Phra-Mund, as Phra Vetsandon and his lady (Nang) Matsi who faithfully followed him, equal to Nang Nontha, being born of the same mothers, children of the same parents in the course of different existences. And with great beauty were they gifted, and boundless knowledge was their share, till they entered heaven, in which I also pray to be received. Separated from my beloved ones in this sad existence, I hopefully wish to remain united to them, when reborn in my next existence, whether as animal or as man. May I always be surrounded by truthful friends. May I always possess my children and relations. May I always see before me those good women, Nang Pus and Nang Behn, and then these men here, Sues and Pho and Im and Png. I wish in my prayers to be endowed with mighty power and authority, to be learned in magic arts, well versed in them like unto Phra Isor, who called back to

The Buddhists distinguish the lesser existences, 550 in number, from the greater ones, of which they count 50. The former contain the framework of those fables, which in various compilations have travelled far and wide through western nations. Of the greater existences, in which the Bodhisatwa has taken human form, the ten of the Thosse-Xat are especially venerated and the most holy one is the last Tataka, that of Phra Vetsandon, as immediately preceding the incarnation of the Buddha. These ten existences begin with the history of Temi, a pious child, who, when still in the cradle, imposed on himself ascetic penances.