Mahâ-Parinibbâna-Suttanta: The Book of the Great Decease

[1. In the older editions of Knox there is a curious engraving of a body being thus burnt. 2. Third edition, vol. ii. pp. 78, 79. 3. See the Ceylon Friend for 1870, pp. 109 and following.] p. xlii sound of their instruments of music is appropriate enough. Then follow some Buddhist mendicants, in number according to the wealth or influence of the deceased, and walking under a portable canopy of white cloth. Then the coffin is carried by the nearest male relatives, and followed by other male relatives and relations--no females, even the widowed mother of an only son, taking part in this last sad procession. Three times the coffin is carried round the grave: then it is placed on two sticks placed across the mouth of the pit; and one end of a roll of white cloth is placed on the coffin, the other end being held by all the Unnânsês (Bhikkhus) whilst the people repeat three times in Pâli the well-known formula of the Refuges (the simple Nicene Creed of the Buddhists): 'I take my refuge in the Buddha, I take my refuge in the Dhamma, I take my refuge in the Order[1].' Then the priests respond, thrice repeating in Pâli the well-known verse discussed below[2]: 'How transient are all component things! Their nature's to be born and die; Coming, they go; and then is best, When each has ceased, and all is rest!' Then the Unnânsês let go the roll of white cloth, and whilst water is poured from a goblet into a cup placed on a plate until the cup is full to the brim[3], they again chaunt three times in Pâli the following verses:--