Page 51 - Inside Sec 1_มาตลังกา.indd

60 MÆT LANKA

1
The calculations from the positions of stars in the sky showed the 26 ruk .
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The venerable monks found the propitious day
For the long journey to the country called Lanka,
An island surrounded on all sides by the sea. (Verse 25)

The venerables of Wat Hua Khuang, Wat Inda, Wat Chom Thong,
Monks and the novice,
Got together at Wat Hnong with their luggage
To hit the road on the back of mules the following morning. (Verse 26)

The trip started badly. The cold and the ghastly ballet of midges and mosquitoes
caused them to moan. They passed the towns and villages of Pang Sang, Pang Kiu,
Muong Sim, Pang Ping, Muong Pieng, Pang Khem and Sen Mong before reaching the
banks of the Salween river, at Hnong Om village, where they came across two young
distinguished members of the reigning family who where returning home.

They met the Prince Sai Muong and the Prince Khun Suek 2
Who made the trip in reverse.
When seeing the venerable monks approach them,
The two young princes bent down with respect. (Verse 32)

After the usual greetings, the princes declared they had a safe journey thanks to
the protection of the Triple Gem which had shielded them from the dangers.

During the meeting with the two princes, on the banks of the Salween river,
The rain began falling. We had to hurry to safety.
At the sight of the branches crashing down in the wind,
We were afraid they would fall on us. (Verse 36)

After handling mules for the young prince to be brought back to Keng Tung, the
monks continued on their route by coach and passed through Hnong To, Pang Luang,
Kun Hing and Doi Hlem before reaching the big city of Tong Gyi where they halted
for the necessary procedures of the journey. The idea of taking a ship and crossing the
sea to reach Lanka gave them some concerns :

In fact, the sea is immense, and the shores, far away.
The sea is scary. Raise our hands above our heads and take refuge in our merits.
3
Have the pleasure to put our fate in the Triple Gem and the Five Virtues .
If we go, it is in order to gain merit. (Verse52)

1
Calculations are based on the twenty-seven ruk that constitute the NakÒatra®kÒa, the lunar
mansion. The twenty-seven ruk are divided into three groups of nine ruk and they are use by the astro-
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logists in their predictions. The figure 26 indicated in the text corresponds to the 26 of the whole 27 ruk.
2
Prince Sai Muong and Prince Khun Suek were the children of Chao Konekeo Inthaleng, the
reigning prince.