THE
LEGEND OF GAUDAMA
THE BUDDHA OF
THE BURMESE OR THE STORY OF THE MOST EXCELENT FLOWER
BY THE
RIGHT REVEREND
P. BIGANDET,
BISHOP OF
RAMATEA, VICAR APOSTOLIC OF AVA AND PEGU
CHAPTER I Buddha, being seventy-nine years old,
delivers instructions to the Rahans - Preachings in the village of Patalie -
Miraculous crossing of the Ganges - Conversion of a courtesan - Sickness of
Buddha - His instructions to Ananda - Last moments and death of Thariputra -
His eulogium by Buddha - Death of Maukalan - Reflections of Buddha on that
event
CHAPTER II Voyage to Wethalie - Last temptation of
Manh - Causes of earthquake - New instructions to the Rahans - Last meal of
Buddha - His painful distemper - His conversation with one of the Malla Princes
- Sign foreshowing Buddha's coming death - Arrival in the Kootheinaron forest -
Buddha lays himself on his couch - Wonders attending that event - Instructions
to Ananda - Eulogium of Ananda by Buddha - Conversion of Thoubat - Last words
of Buddha to the Ralian - His death
CHAPTER III Stanzas uttered after Buddha's death -
Ananda informs the Malla Princes of Buddha's demise - Preparations for the
funeral—Arrival of Kathaba at the spot where the body was exposed to public
veneration - He worships the body - Wonder on that occasion - The burning of
the corpse - Partition of the relics made by a Pounha called Dauna -
Extraordinary honours paid to the relics by King Adzatathat - Death of that
king and of Kathaba
CHAPTER IV After Buddha's death, zeal of Kathaba in
upholding genuine doctrines - He selects five hundred elders to become members
of a council or assembly - Radzagio is fixed upon for the holding of the
council - He repairs thither with a portion of the appointed members -
Behaviour of the amiable Ananda previous to his departure for Radzagio - King
Adzatathat supports Kathaba in his views - The hall for holding the council is
prepared by his orders Ananda is qualified in a miraculous manner for sitting
as a member of the council - Holding of the council under the presidency of
Kathaba - Establishment of the Religious era - Destruction of Wethalie by
Adzatathat - The successors of that Prince - In the days of King Kalathauka a
second council is held at Pataliputra under the presidency of Ratha - Causes
that provoked the holding of a second assembly
CHAPTER V Kalathoka is succeeded by his eldest son,
Baddasena - And finally by the youngest, Pitzamuka - This prince is killed and
succeeded by a chief of robbers, named Ouggasenananda - King Tsanda-gutta -
King Bandasura -Miraculous dreams of Athoka's mother - King Athoka - His
conversion - His zeal for Buddhism -Finding of the relics - Distribution of
them - Third council held under the presidency of Mauggalipata - Preaching of
religion in various countries, and particularly in Thaton - Voyage of Budhagosa
to Ceylon - Establishment of religion in Pagan - Various particulars relating
to the importation of the Scriptures in Burmah
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