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

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:-- [1. Buddham saranam gakkhâmi Dhammam saranam gakkhâmi Samgham saranam gakkhâmi. 2. Anikkâ vata samkhârâ uppâdavaya-dhammino Uppaggitvâ nirugghanti tesam vûpasamo sukho. See 'Book of the Great Decease,' VI, 16, and the 'Legend of the Great King of Glory,' II, 42. 3. This ceremony is called Pæm wadanawâ.] 'As rivers, when they fill, must flow, And reach, and fill the distant main; p. xliii So surely what is given here Will reach and bless the spirits there! If you on earth will gladly give Departed ghosts will gladly live! As water poured on mountain tops Must soon descend, and reach the plain; So surely what is given here Will reach and bless the sprits there[1]!' The relations then place the coffin. in the grave, and each throws in a handful of earth. The Unnânsês then go away, taking the roll or rolls of cloth, one end of which was placed upon the coffin. The grave is filled in. Two lights, one at the head of it, and one at the foot, are left burning. And then the friends and relations return to the house. The funeral now being over, is followed by a feast; for though nothing may be cooked in a house or hut in which there is a corpse, yet plenty of food has been brought in from neighbouring tenements by the relations of the deceased.