The Red Cloud chief., 1897-03-05


Perak, transferred his allie glance to the
British government. and. ~ plain Mr..
p. Choomasi, was during the last few
years employed a. first assistant mag
istrate and settlement oficer Of Peraks
Even now the Prince la In the pay or
the British government. his leave OF
eight months not yet having expired.
at the end OF which period he will for
maliy tender his resignation.
II was about 8 y. m. on Thursdarv
November g. 1896, when. In the sma-
upper room OF the octagonal pansaia
AT Waskaduwa. Prince prisdan was ad-
mitted to the monkhood.
Appearing In his state dress, wear
ing his full complement Of decorations,
the Prince scattered among the vast
crowds assembled round cne pansala
numbers OF silver coins, In token that
so he renowned all his wealth and
worldly greatness. Then he addressed
the people in English. his words being
translated into Singhalese. setting
forth the nature OF the duties he was
entering upon, and with an effort he
broke In two his sword In token OF
surrender to his conqueror. All this
was before the vast o OF the
assembled multitude. amid shouts OF
applause and ringing cheers OF jubila-
ton. But all the loud beating OF
drums. the shouts of Sadhu, and the
many and varied cries of men. women
and children had given place to a re-
markedly imposing stiffness and calm.
when the Prince. clean shaved and clad
in spotless white. presented himself at
the door OF the octagonal upper room
OF the pansala. On an elevation. which
resembled "a Catholic altar. was an m
age of Buddha, with seven candles
burning before It In u row. All the
Princes costly apparel and personal
belongings-three uniforms, wrought
with ornaments of fine gold. "
swords. helmets. a naval cap, etc.
were placed on a salver In front Of the
image as an Offering to the pansala.
On the floor. spread with gorgeous car
pets, on circular cushions of soft cot
ton. sat a dozen priests. The Prince
was questioned as to his Intentions to
be admitted to monkhood. and then 1t
was touching to see Prince Prisdan.
prostrating himself before the image.
repeat In q solemn, half-heard. half
hushed voice, after the still more SOL
emn %intoning Of the officiating monk;
Buddham, Saranam 0acchami,
Chairman Saranam Gacchami.
Sangham Saranam Gacchami.
the expression OF embracing the Three
fold Refuge Of Buddhism, meaning, 81
go for refuge to the Buddha. 60 10,
refuge to the Law. l 90 for refuge Il
the Order" It is remarkable that thii
Is the only prayer OF true Buddhism
The novice was then robed In yellow
and shown to the people. Thus 1t cam'
to pass that Prince Prisdan Of the roya
family OF Siam was made a Buddhis
monk, at Waskaduwa, In Ceylon.
After instruction In the Ten Pre-
cepts Of the Desa-Sila. and q complet
ordination. known as upasampada. tn
novice would be a full monk. At pres
H. ent the Prince Is at Waskaduwa, an
~ he has not yet decided whether he Ii I
work in Ceylon or 90 abroad. Az Their
d; Is not in the ranks Of the Buddhif
OF monks another man so learned 1
o. English and In French as the roya
n mendicant and trained to western way
Sc and western culture as he, 1t is prot
able that the princely monk will b
NJ sent next year to England on a mis-
r sionary tour. In the meantime he wi
Ii be taught Pail and Singhalese to enabl
n him to understand the Buddhist Scrir
ture In the original.
" The Prince il an affable. courteou
III and kind-hearted man. and what
~ most characteristic OF him, more eve
III than his devotion az a Buddhist. Is hi
he great humility.