-------- Page 434 TALE OF A TOOTH. THERE is an old nursery rhyme man. But this morsel of ivory derives which says, "We never know its sole value from its repute of being what great things from little things may the tooth, the eye-tooth, of one of the rise," and if we trace the history of some greatest men ever deified - men who little things and consider their influence have sent their names ringing down to upon the great things of the world, we ages and ages, and influenced mankind can easily verify the truth of the adage. with their special theories from genera A tooth, for instance, is an infinitesimal tion to generation. portion of a man; yet a' tooth has figur- The precious ivory is now enshrined ed in the lives of some very ancient with much religious zeal in a temple at kings; influenced - nay, controlled - Kandy, the late capital of Ceylon. That their history, and played its part in one famous Ceylon - the Taprobane of the of the longest dynasties on record. I Greeks, Serendib of the Arabian Nights speak of the tooth of Guatama Buddha, -sleeping in the Indian Ocean, south which is considered by some fifty mill- east of the peninsula of Hindostan, from ions of people to be the most sacred which it is only separated by the Straits and heavenly object left upon the terres- of Manaar, sometimes called "Adam's trial globe. His tooth is certainly the Bridge," as he is reputed to have passed oldest in the annals of time, for it dates over to the Island of Ceylon dry-shod, its existence from six centuries before upon rocks, when driven from Paradise Christ, having passed ninety years of its by the flaming sword, and settled upon infancy in a man 5 mouth. the great mountain which bears his The tale of this tooth is a romance of name. history as marvelous as the story of the The sun was just setting over Kandy, great Kohinoor diamond, or the Marie as we reached it. We had come from Antoinette necklace, yet far surpassing Point de Galle, the stopping - place of these in antiquity, episodes, and influ- most China-bound steamers. Visitors ence, for the latter had their intrinsic val- to the far East are usually contented ue to aid them, being always convertible with a drive on shore at Galle, and ex into hardcash-animmense advantage to cept officials and planters few Europe romance now-a-days, for, as the modern ans travel in the interior of Ceylon. world wags, "~. s. d." is the great talis- The sun was setting as only a tropical -------- Page 435 sun would dare to set, in splashes of display of form and color which trans purple, green, amber, and crimson, which fuse oriental scenery. A long, narrow, described on paper may seem to denote picturesque Chinese street forms the bus very bad taste on the part of the sun, iness portion of the town, and all around but in reality was a gorgeous spectacle. upon the green hills are the planters' The flowery hills around Kandy blushed bungalows, climbing higher and higher a pale rose - tint, as though they were up the mountains, peeping out from a not quite satisfied to reflect any of the perfect sea of coffee - trees, whose white deeper colors; but the mountains, rear- blossoms exhale a perfume which hangs ing their heads eight thousand feet, as a canopy over the whole country, and plunged their purple peaks into the whose scarlet berries, when the coffee is azure sky. ripe, gladden the dark green of the land Few people would venture to dispute scape. the beauty of Kandy at any time; but, To return to the temple, now the glowing with the brilliant sunset lights, resting-place of the ivory trifle whose it must win all hearts not utterly callous history I am attempting to write. It is to beauty. At present, it may be de- the core or nucleus of a vast establish scribed as a congregation of handsome ment of Buddhist priests, who lift their objects rather than as a city. In the voices in praise, morning, noon, and centre is a large artificial lake-one of night, with an accompaniment of drums, the famous tanks or reservoirs con- tom-toms, and big gongs. There is also structed at various parts of the island, a large stable of elephants and horses, about two thousand years ago, to irri- and serving-men, to officiate upon grand gate the land, forming the glory of king occasions, when the tooth goes abroad and kingdom. Reflected in its waters and is exhibited to the faithful. This, stands the Buddhist temple, with num- however, it ve~y rarely does, for its berless colonnades and towers, under guardians understand thoroughly that which reposes the great Dalada, the too much familiarity breeds contempt, Tooth of Buddha; enshrined in tem- and fifty years sometimes elapse be ples, and altars, arid reliquaires, of mar- tween its appearances in public. ble, ivory, ebony, silver, and gold; set King Kriti Sri had been the last mon with precious stones-sapphires, pearls, arch to worship it in company with his rubies, topazes-for which the island is subjects, so that very few persons in the renowned. Around the reservoir is a island had actually seen it, though they raised wall and promenade, shadowed earnestly believed in the potency of the by tamarind- trees, and the male cotton relic, and that the sight alone would con with its cherry - lipped flowers, which fer prosperity upon the beholder. Great falling carpet the earth in a zone of preparations were, therefore, made in the pinky leaflets. Below is a carriage- city of Kandy; triumphal arches erect drive around the lake, four miles in cir- ed, and whole trees transplanted to form cumference. On the opposite side is bowers, altars, and avenues for the pro the modern hotel, with its wide veran- cession to halt in or pass through. Ev dah covered with creepers of every hue, ery creature - man, woman, or child - and tempting long chairs. A little far- that could use its own feet, came from all ther on is an old Dutch church, which in parts of the island to witness the expo its ugly simplicity is a good foil to the sition and partake in the consequent ben graceful and elaborate pagoda opposite; efits, even as Italian peasantry assemble it seems to be sneering in a quiet and at Easter in the vast amphitheatre of St. phlegmatic way at all the vainglorious Peter's, to catch the small slips of paper -------- Page 436 which the Pope trusts to the wind as his to receive him, while the nobles, priests, messenger to convey pardon for sins and and populace bend their bodies at a right immunity from punishment. But the angle, lifting their arms above their heads, Cingalese consider that one divine ben- and joining their fingers. They raise a efit is enough for one life, therefore this shout of triumph appalling in its power festival is not often repeated. and vehemence, which is caught up by Formerly the high priest and the king the multitude, and far and wide from were il~e officials at the ceremony; but every throat and voice it spreads over since the island and the tooth have fall- the whole city-one mighty, solemn peal en into British hands, of course the Gov- of adoration. "Horrible idblatry!" exernor stands in lieu of the Queen. He claims a prudish Protestant. So it may and the high priest, with attendant priests, appear. But what, then, is the "Fe~e private secretaries, and other assistants, Bieit in France, the " Holy Cross in etc., enter the sancf~rn sanctorarn where Rome? What is our own impassioned the singularly long tooth dwells in cost- embrace of a faded photograph, not seen ly obscurity. With the aid of a host of for years, which rouses the yearning attendants, the various tabernacles, pa- tear? We do not all of us understand godas, and altars are removed, when the our own emotions-can we fathom those sumptuous caskets of gold and jewels of the Cingalese? are loosed. The tooth then goes into The elephant, bearing the sacred Dai its out-door garment, a pavilion of solid ada, and followed by the whole retinue silver with silver ornamented pillars, -civilized, savage, sacred and profane, which covers the bawsewzge, a small priest and parson (no doubt the British octagonal cupola composed of burnish- chaplain would have to be present, po ed gold, rows of blue sapphires, and ru- litically, of course), richly-robed Cinga bies. The Ba/ada re~ses in another lese nobles, unclad Malabars, Tamuls, gold casket, on a velvet cushion fringed and Madras men-proceeds through the with precious pearls, such as would make leafy avenues made for him, trampling the fortune of a royal princess. This with dignified tread the world of flowers paraphernalia is placed on the back of a spread for the feet which bear the sa most majestic elephant, richly caparison- cred load, until it reaches the altar or ed in crimson velvet with gold embroid- re~osoir, into which it is lifted by the ery. This gentleman, like many high ancient Adikar. Then the British gov officials, has a complete sinecure, for his ernor, holding back the velvet curtain, exclusive duty is to carry the Ba/ada displays the relic to the ravished multi twice or thrice in his life, for which per- tude, whose hosannas reach the echoes formance he lives in clover all the rest of the purple mountains, and swim along of his existence, which is longer than the valley, waking the nightingales that that of a man. Upon the occasion of pipe their exultant song to the heart of his public appearance he is attended by every dell. his mahouts and scores of lackeys, any- All that can be effected by means of one of whom would hypothecate his head evergreens and flowers in our own coun for a situation equal to that of the beast. try falls far short in comparison with All the high officials, clerical, civil, and what is done in the East. The grace military-the two latter British-join in ful palm-leaves, and waving bananas - the procession. the luscious magnolias, gorgeous sun When the elephant carrying the Ba?- flowers and shoe-blossoms, and the won ada appears at the gate of the temple, a derful decorative taste possessed in such long double line of elephants kneel down an extraordinary degree by savage over -------- Page 437 civilized people-the glowing light, and sued orders to his generals and his soothing perfume - the yellow - robed armies to invade that country and stop monks, and the rich dresses of the no- the idolatry-in the name of the true bles - the grand background of purple God to kill and slay, and give no quar mountains, and the inner amphifl~eatre ter, but to bring back the heretic king of hills covered with green coffee-the and the wretched bit of human bone he quaint old temple, and the mirror - like was adoring day and night. The great lake-produce a combination of scenic general marched forth, fought and con effect unparalleled under our duller sky. quered, captured the Dalada and the The Dalada, or Sacred Tooth, is a devotee, and reported them to his mas piece of discolored ivory, over an inch ter. And now commenced the tnals of in length, andbroa d in proportion. The the tooth. The sovereign was resolved owner must have measured at least from to go to extremities, and decided to burn seven to eight feet in height, to have up the piece of bone, and have an end grown such a tooth; and it was declared of it. He, therefore, had prepared in by the Portu~uese, when they conquer- the yard of his palace a pit filled with ed the country, to be an ape's tooth. glowing embers, into which the Dalada The history of this wonder-working in- was cast. In the usual course of chem cisor, after it quitted its native jaw-bone, ical action, it would have been speedily is as follows: The body of Guatama reduced to powder; but the legend of Buddha was burned, according to the this relic, like the tales concerning oth Indian custom, but before its entire de- er miraculous objects, proceeds quite struction on the funeral pyre a priest differently. The tooth rose from the rushed fnrward and rescued the eye- flames unscathed, emitting from itself a tooth fro~ the flames. It was at once radiance which ascended to the heavens venerated as miraculous, being the act- and illumined the universe, or at least ual part of a body once a man, now a as much of it as the writer of that pe deity-in fine, as a tangible piece of the riod was acquainted with. Having thus body of God. This took place five cent- displayed itself fire-proof and non-com uries before our Lord's Last Supper, bustible, the king, being disgusted at where he gave his flesh to eat and to the open defiance of his power, forth remain on earth. As in all religions, with ordered the tooth to be buried deep schisms soon arose, and kings and na- in the earth and trodden down by ele tions quarreled and went to war over a phants; but, spurning the clay above bit of bone as over a bit of bread or wa- it, it sprang up like the grain sowed by fer-one side declaring it was infamy to the planter on a lotus - leaf, the emblem worship an inanimate bit of rubbishy, of the spouse of the mother of Buddha, discolored ivory; the other protesting who is reported to have conceived as a that it was the actual substance of God virgin. Still the king was not satisfied. the Omnipotent, and a sacrilege to pro- He naturally imagined some fraud had fane it. been practiced, and ordered the tooth to The tooth had been kept in great state be placed on an anvil. The ponderous in a city called Dantapoora (from dan Ia, hammer was raised to crush it, but the tooth, and ~oora, city), and the King tooth (it must surely have been a wisdom Kalinga, neglecting Vishnu and Siva, tooth) sagely imbedded itself in il~e iron, worshiped only the tooth; for which he and the hammer fell harmlessly upon it. was called to account by another king, The priestly enemies then declared that Pandoowaf, the chief sovereign of all In- the fraud consisted not in the relic itself, dia, who sent forth a mandate, and is- which, no doubt, was part of the god -------- Page 438 Vishnu, but in the assertion that it was of the fair Ranawale, the King's daugh Guatama's. To prove this, the king ter, whom he married. But scarcely ordered them to petition that worthy to had they outlived that one blissful pe release his own tooth from the iron riod of human existence, the "honey shackles into which he had put it. The moon," when the wicked nephews of priests commenced a series of incanta- Pandoowaf (why are nephews always tions and supplications, enough to move wicked?) waged war against the tooth, any god; but the obstinate tooth, like so and came down upon the city of Danta many of its successors (as dentists will poora to sack and otherwise destroy it. vouch for), refused to be extracted. The Now, the happy pair were still stanch king, who appears to have been a prac- adherents of the tooth, and, fearful that tical,logical man, said, "Now you priests even ivory could not resist such an ar have failed, let the Buddhists try"- my, they disguised themselves in the whereupon great offerings were made to garb of the despised and inimical priest the Da7ada, and all the saintly deeds hood, and carried the treasure away to and holy acts of Buddha recounted. the sea - coast, where il~ey~ buried it in These exertions were rewarded by the the sand. But as the war waged fiercer, tooth getting up and showing itself again. Ranawale, with true woman 5 wit, wove The king, delighted, placed it in a gold it into her long, luxuriant tresses, and, goblet, when it was graciously pleased drawing near to the ships, awaited the to float on the water. These miracles result of the battle then raging around confirmed the wavering, and converted the doomed city of Dantapoora. A red the king, though not the priests. Pan- flag was to be the signal of defeat and doowaf, however, discarded the heretics, despair, when the fair guardian of the and loaded the wihares (temples) with relic was to embark and proceed to Cey treasure. He abdicated from the throne, lon, which island had been foretold as and retired to a Buddhist monastery, the future home of the Dalada. Thus, where he died in what we should de- when the setting sun cast his last lurid nominate the odor of sanctity. He en- beams upon the bloody signal, and the treated Buddha's forgiveness for his whole eastern heaven blushed in shame, doubts; not failing judiciously to point the devout heroine entered the ship and out that his sins had, after all, a bene- passed with her sacred burden to the ficial result, as proving the authenticity friendly shores of Ceylon, where she of the relic-that all is well that ends was received by the king with royal well-and hinted at a dogma, since term- honors. Every mark of distinction was ed Jesuitical, that evil might be commit- heaped upon her head, and especially ted that good may result. Here he upon her hair, which had performed equivocated a little with Buddha, sug- such a wonderfiil service. gesting that if he had not believed in History does not say so, but I have a the happy result, he (King Pandoowaf) shrewd idea that the king married her; would never have permitted the indigni- her spouse (Qodaini) having been killed ty. Thus there have been more Davids in the battle. Not that this fact was than one. material, for a Cingalese woman has The tooth, after this triumph, went from time immemorial been allowed to back to Dantapoora, to the keeping of take two or more husbands. The king Goohasina. In a short time, King Qoda- also dedicated the island to the Dalada, ini came to worship at the shrine of the and built for it the richest of sj0rines. Dalada, and made rich offerings. He Since that time, A. D. 309, it has shared also adored at another shrine - that the fate of the Cingalese, and under -------- Page 439 gone the vicissitudes of that country; was held as a sort of insignia of royalty, sometimes in triumphing over a million like the crown jewels or regalia. In the of heads bowed in worship or reverence rebellion in 1817, the first act of the -for I do not believe Buddhists wor- Cingalese was to steal the tooth. A ship the thing they clasp their hands priest, one of the guardians of the sanc and kneel to, any more than the Catho- tuary, surreptitiously conveyed it and lics worship every wayside cross they himself away to the mountains, where bend the knee before-sometimes wan- he wandered unsuspected. The people, dering from place to place for safer aware of this, considered their triumph keeping and to escape the ferocious on- over their new lords and masters as a slaught of the Malabar invasion; but foregone conclusion. But this becom wherever its sacred presence beamed, ing known, a strict search was made, it influenced the destinies of the country, and the priest was eventually taken with and its history forms a large portion of the tooth upon him-his bald pate af Cingalese chronicles. The people place fording no concealment like the locks of infinite confidence in its power to pro- the fair Ranawale. The sacred ivory cure peace and prosperity for the na- was restored to its former shrine and tion with whom it dwells. The Portu- temple in Kandy. This being made guese knowing il~is, sought and obtain- public, the effect was magical on the ed possession of it by force, and assert people, who became convinced that the that they ground it up in a mortar and guardians and possessors of the tooth publicly burnt it as an idol and false must triumph, and that it was the will of god; that the Adikar Buddhist priests Buddha that the British should rule offered for its redemption three hundred over Ceylon. When peace and tran thousand ducats, which were refused by quillity was restored, the guardianship Constantine de Braganza, the Portu- of the tooth was divided between the guese leader. Nevertheless, another governor of the island and the high tooth is said to have been manufactured priest, and the reliquaire was so con so closely resembling the Dalada, that structed that it required two keys to the priests were deceived and accepted open it. it.The Cingalese, however, declare In 1828 the Dalada was publicly exhib that the real Buddha dental was care- ited for the benefit and adoration of the fully hidden away, and that Constantine faithful; and the Queen of England, sit de Braganza was deceived by an ape's ting high upon her Protestant throne in tooth, palmed off upon him, which he the far- advanced nineteenth century, is burned. The latter story is much more virtually the showman to a deluded mul probable than the former. This was in titude, of a very large-sized tooth-much the sixteenth century. too monstrous for any human mouth, In i8i5, when the British became unless that of a giant-and which they rulers of the island, they also became reverence as the actual person of the guardians of the sacred Dalada, which Deity!