RANGOON, _May_ 1866. CONTENTS. LEGEND OR LIFE OF THE BURMESE BUDDHA, CALLED GAUDAMA. PAGE CHAPTER I. Invocation of the Burmese translator -- Slow but steady progress of Phralaong towards the Buddhaship -- Promise made to him by the Buddha Deipinkara -- Origin and beginning of the Kapilawot country and of its rulers -- Birth of Thoodaudana -- His marriage with the Princess Maia -- Rumour of the coming birth of a Buddha -- Phralaong in the seats of Nats -- Dream of Maia -- Conception of Phralaong -- Wonders attending that event. 1 CHAPTER II. Birth of Buddha in a forest -- Rejoicings on that occasion -- Kaladewila -- Prediction of the Pounhas -- Vain efforts of Thoodaudana to thwart the effect of the Prediction. 34 CHAPTER III. A name is given to the child -- Prediction of the Pounhas respecting the child -- Death of Maia -- Miraculous occurrence at the child's cradle -- Adolescence of the Phralaong -- He sees the four signs -- Return from the garden to the royal city. 45 CHAPTER IV. Phralaong leaves his palace, the royal city, and retires into solitude amidst the plaudits of the Nats -- He cuts his fine hair with a stroke of his sword, and puts on the habit of Rahan -- He begs his food at Radzagio -- His interview with the ruler of that place -- His studies under two Rathees -- His fast and penances in the solitude of Oorouwela during six years. 60 CHAPTER V. Thoodzata's offering to Phralaong -- His five dreams -- He shapes his course towards the Gniaong tree -- Miraculous appearance of a throne -- Victory of Phralaong over Manh Nat -- His meditations during forty-nine days near the Bodi tree -- He at last obtains the perfect science -- He overcomes the temptations directed against him by the daughters of Manh -- Buddha preaches the law to a Pounha and to two merchants. 77 CHAPTER VI. Buddha hesitates to undertake the task of preaching the law -- The great Brahma entreats him to preach the law to all beings -- His assent to the entreaties -- Journey towards Migadawon -- He meets Ouppaka -- His first preachings -- Conversion of a young nobleman named Ratha, followed by that of his father and other relatives -- Conversion of several other noblemen -- Instructions to the Rahans -- Conversion of the three Kathabas. 111 CHAPTER VII.