The Life or Legend of Gaudama, the Buddha of the Burmese (Volume I)Bigandet, Paul Ambroise
Religion
The Life or Legend of Gaudama, the Buddha of the Burmese (Volume I)
Bigandet, Paul Ambroise
Buddhism -- Burma; Burma -- Religion; Gautama Buddha
Phralaong, awaking from his sleep, said to himself, after having
reflected for a while on those five dreams,--"Today I shall certainly
become a Buddha." Thereupon he rose instantly, washed his hands and
face, put on his dress, and quietly waited the break of day, to go out
in quest of his food. The moment being arrived to go out, he took up his
patta, and walked in the direction of the gniaong tree. The whole tree
was made shining by the rays which issued from his person; he rested
there for a while. At that very moment arrived Sounama, to clear,
according to her mistress' orders, the place for her offering. As she
approached, she saw Phralaong at the foot of the tree. The rays of light
which beamed out of his person were reflected on the tree, which
exhibited a most splendid and dazzling appearance. On observing this
wonder, Sounama said to herself: "Of course the Nat has come down from
the tree to receive the offering with his own hands." Overcome with an
unutterable joy, she immediately ran to her mistress and related her
adventure. Thoodzata was delighted at this occurrence, and wishing to
give a substantial proof of her gratitude for such good news, she said
to Sounama: "From this moment you are no more my servant; I adopt you
for my elder daughter." She gave her instantly all the ornaments
suitable to her new position. It is customary for all the Phralaongs to
be provided, on the day they are to become Buddha, with a gold cup of
an immense value. Thoodzata ordered a golden vessel to be brought, and
poured therein the nogana or boiled milk. As the water glides from the
leaf of the water-lily without leaving thereon any trace, so the nogana
slided from the pot into the golden cup and filled it up. She covered
this cup with another of the same precious metal, and wrapped up the
whole with a white cloth. She forthwith put on her finest dress, and,
becomingly attired, she carried the golden cup over her head; and with a
decent gravity walked towards the gniaong tree. Overwhelmed with joy at
seeing Phralaong, she reverentially advanced towards him, whom she
mistook for a Nat. When near him, she placed gently the golden vessel on
the ground, and offered him in a gold basin scented water to wash his
hands. At that moment, the earthen patta offered to Phralaong by the
Brahma Gatikara disappeared. Perceiving that his patta had disappeared,
he stretched forth his right hand, and washed it in the scented water;
at the same time Thoodzata presented to him the golden cup containing
the nogana. Having observed that she had caught the eyes of Phralaong,
she said to him: "My Lord Nat, I beg to offer you this food, together
with the vessel that contains it." Having respectfully bowed down to
him, she continued: "May your joy and happiness be as great as mine; may
you always delight in the happiest rest, ever surrounded by a great and
brilliant retinue." Making then the offering of the gold cup, worth
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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