Indian Antiquary Vol 23

SR No.: 032515
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Richard Carnac Temple
Publisher: Swati Publications
Publication Year: 1984
Total Pages: 412
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 16 MB

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102
THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY.
[April, 1894
himself at her request, was appointed to be Dhammachêti fully justified the choice of his the Heir Apparent, while the latter was put in mother-in-law, and though brought up from prison for harbouring evil designs against his early youth in the seclusion of a Buddhist monas. Bovereign
tery until he was more than 40 years of age,'' In her choice of a successor, and in cxcluding
proved to be a wise, able, and beneficent ruler.
He was a man of great energy and capacity, and her own blood relations from the succession, Shin SòbQ was guided by her knowledge of human
throughout his long reign of thirty years, consonature, and actuated by a noble desire to secure
lidated his power and extended the boundaries of to the Kingdom of Råmatinadosa firm and wise
his Kingdom eastward without any bloodshed. administration under an able and competent
Moreover, he tried his best to secure the welfare ruler; and Dhammadhara was eminently qualified
and prosperity of his people and to recoup the
strength and resources of the country, which had for the task.
well-nigh been exhausted during the wars with The only opposition against which the Heir
Burma and the rebellions headed by Talaing Apparent had to contend was that of Byinniên, princes. He was a good judge and legislator. A Governor of Bassein, a son-in-law of Shin Soba. compilation of his decisions is extant, and tho He headed a rebellion, but was shortly after slain Dhammacheti-chammasattham was compiled in battle.
under his direction. He died in 1492 A.D., Shin Sdba entrusted Dhammadharu with the
at the ripe age of 86. The funeral honours of affairs of the government, while she retired to
a chakravartin or universal monarch paid to him Dagon (Rangoon) to pass her remaining days in
after his death, and the building of a pagoda over doing religious works and in peaceful contem
his bones, bear testimony to the great esteem, plation. The site of her residence is still known
love, and admiration with which he was regarded to this day as Shin sdbamy. She died in 1469
by his subjects. A. D., at the age of 78, and was succeeded by The dynasty, to which Dhammachoti may be said Dhammadhara, who had married her younger to belong, is that founded by Wagard, a Talaing daughter. The Talaing, clergy and nobility adventurer from Siam, who, during the dismem. conferred the title of Dhammachêti on the new berment of the Burmese Empire, consequent on a King because of his wide and varied learning and Chinese invasion near the close of the 13th century of his thorough knowledge of the Buddhist serip- A. D., seized the government of Martaban, and tures. He subsequently assumed the titles of defeated the Burmese forces sent against him. Ramadhipati, Sʻinbyayin (Betagajapati) and This dynasty gradually increased in importance Biripavaramahadhammarajadhiraja. He was, till its highest pitch of powor was reached however, best known among the peoplo of Burma under Yazidarit (1385-1423 A. D.). Previous to 28 Dhammachêti.
WAgard's rebellion, the maritime provinces had Dhammacheti held friendly intercourse with
been under Burmese rule since the conquest of the rulers of Ceylon, Northern India, Siam, and
Thatón by Anòrat'azd in the 19th century A.D. Cambodia. He sent two religious missions :
(3) Dhammaso karaja. one to Buddha Gayà in 1472 A. D., to report on the sacred Buddhistic buildings commemorative | It is necessary, I think, to explain the attitude of the life of its founder; and the other to Ceylon, of native Burmese scho!ers towards the great in 1475 A. D., to establish beyond doubt the Buddhist reformer, Asöka. apostolical succession of the priests of Ramafi
The following is the list, according to the Ma. jadêsa, by deputing twenty-two thêras and ag
hdvanusa, of the countries to which missionaries many younger priests to receive their upasam padu
were sent at the conclusion of the Third Buddhist ordination at the hands of the Mahåvihara sect
Council:founded by Mabindamahấthêra in the 3rd century BC. The result of the first mission was the
Name of country. Name of missionary sent. construction at Pegu of religious edificos in (1) Kasmira-Gandhara.. Majjhantikathôra. imitation of those at Buddha Gaya, and that (2) Mahlsamandala ...... Mahadevathúra, of the second was the tonsecration of the (3) Vanavisi ............... Rakkhitathêra. Kalyani-sime by the priests, who had returned (4) Aparantaka .......... Yûna-Dhammarakkita. from Ceylon.
thêra.
Phayre's History of Burma, p. 85. As a matter of fact, Dhammachiti was 56 years old when he became Regent, and 63 when he became King. During the
interval of seven years, he ruled Ramadladesa i tho namo of Shin Sübů, who had retired to Dagon (Rangoon),