Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1873-05-15
The Cocoa Tree-A buddhist Legend

The Cocoon Tree-A Buddhist Legend
Island tradition, handed down by the
priests of Buddha, says that the dis
covery of the cocoa-nut tree in Cey-
lon, and of its wonderful general utility,
was made by rsjah of the Kandyan
provinces, or interior of the island, who
became suddenly attacked with a cuta-
neous disease which covered him from
head to foot, and occasioned fearful
agony. His people strove, by offering
up sacrifices to the Maha Yaka, or Great
Demon, as a fancied originator of the
fell disease, TO appease his anger and
thus to cure their beloved king. The
king did not personally aid in such sac
riGces, but humbly resigned himself to
the fat of the Supreme Being. After
having said his prayers and made his
Offering of flowers to Buddha, the king
fell one afternoon into deep sleep,
under the shade of the sacred Bo-tree.
This sleep continued for two days,
during which he beheld large extent OF
water, of blue color which, on exam
ming, he found to be both salt and nau-
.eous. On the shores of this water
there appeared to the amazed king thou
sands OF trees of character he had
never before seen, Of very formidable
hight, and, with the exception of large
leaves near the top of each tree, appa-
rently destitute of foliage. An old man,
the Maha Sudona, the father of Buddha
now appeared, and addressed the king
as follows. In that direction" pointing
to the south, will thy cure be found.
One hundred hours journey will bring
thee to those trees, the interior Of the
fruit of which must be thy only food till
the Maha Handah, or great moon, has
given and refused her light. This do,
and after due offerings of sweet-smelling
flowers and fruits to Buddha thou wilt
recover thy health.
The rajah, on awakening from his pro-
tracted sleep, and having communicated
to his favorite followers the supernatural
message he had received, made the pro-
pitiatory offerings to Buddha, and pro-
ceeded toward the south. The one hun
drea hours journey having been duly
performed, without accident, the king
beheld before his anxious and delighted
eyes n vast expanse of blue sea, and
fringing its far stretching shore count
less trees, similar to those he had seen
in his dream; immensely high trees, with
branches only at the top, and what ap-
peared to be fruit resting on the
branches. Tie only denizens of the
country were the mighty elephant and
the stealthy bear, and they were most
numerous. These animals did not at
tempt to injure the king or his followers,
as they were under the protection OF
Buddha. To obtain the coveted fruit,
which was TO restore the rajah to health,
appeared to be impossible, from the
height, straight and naked character OF
the trunk of trees which bore it. The
attendants thought, at last, Of applying
fire to one of the trees, and having made
small hole in the middle of dry stick
for the reception of the pointed eK-
treEjty of another stick, fire was thereby
by friction, and by the applica-
tion of dried leaves the fire thus became
active and fierce, and was applied to the
,srnk of the tree. While this was being
lone the awe-stricken rajah had gone
down TO the sea and tasted the water
which he found to be salt and disagree
abIe. as his dream had foretold.
An hour or two after the application
IS ,hs fire TO its trunk the stately tree
fell ~ the ground with immense force.
The S-n;t n.Ss opened, not without diff
enlty. and as =; .;Ge was not to be net with
IN tbe Locality .bo.. ..h king and attend
ants lived solely on the delicious feshy
portion of the nut while l.se pure anu
sweet water within it satisfied the,. tnirst' ~
Within short time the rajah's hea''u
was quite restored, and, as a mark OF
gratitude, his highness carved on lofty
rock, which rose mystically from the sea,
a gigantic statue of himself: observing
hat the q eat hight would demonstrate
the miraculous recovery from illness of
a most distressing and dangerous char
aeter he had met with, he being a man
small in size; for that by the wonderful
kindness Of Buddha be had risen to
state of unmerited felicity aud strength,
The testimony Of which would thus be
handed down to all posterity.
The rajah, on his return TO his own do
duly promulgated the virtues Of
he wonderful palm, which led TO the
migration Of numerous people to the
south of the island, and thereby to It's
The image, carved on tue
rock is 20 be seen at the fishing hamlet
Of BeIleran. q few miles from Gale, IN
II i. .,,,tba-r rrovince of CevlOn.