The Mahavansi, the Raja-Ratnacari, and the Raja-Vali; Forming the Sacred and Historical Books of Ceylon Also, a Collection of Tracts Illustrative of T (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1833 edition. Excerpt: ...but from gratitude. The great services which these animals render, in ploughing the ground, &c, as well as the milk they afford for sustenance, is with them reason sufficient for such a conclusion. It is also said by the learned, that there is a prohibition regarding the slaughter of cattle, made formerly by a king, whose name is unknown. This king gave order for a general illumination in honour of Budhu, for which the lamps were to be supplied with butter. He was told by his ministry that it was impossible this order could be executed, unless he issued another prohibiting the slaughter of cattle. With this the king complied; and, since that time, none but the lowest castes, such as tom-tom beaters, have taken the liberty to eat beef. Is suicide considered as a crime amongst the Budhists? It is considered a greater sin than even murder. Have the Candians any knowledge of Adam and Eve? Was Paradise on Ceylon, and did Adam leave the imprint of his foot on the hill called Adam's Peak? Is the lake found there said to have originated from the tears shed by Eve, on account of her sins? Are Adam and Eve represented by the images in the temple of Mulgiri-galle? What idols are those which have the shape of women? The Candians have no knowledge of Adam or Eve, &c. The footstep visible on the hill called Adam's Peak is that of Guadma Budhu. The large images in the temple of Mulgiri-galle are images of Budhu alone; the smaller ones are those of the inferior gods. Wherever pictures of women are found painted on walls, they represent former queens and princesses, of whom accounts are to be found in Cingalese books. PALI AND CINGALESE BOOKS CONTAINED IN THE VIHARIS OF 1. Mulgirri Galle Vihari. 2. The Chief Vihari in the District of Matura. 3. The...