Burmese Sketches - Khamkoo

BtJRMESE SKETCHES. 21^
faiths and sects. To our mind such a vindication is scarcely:
necessary because Lord Dufferin, in a speech deh'vered at^,
Rangoon in 1886, had ** promised the Buddhist community
that the British Government would respect their rehgion,'.
would recognise the dignitaries of their Church, and would,^
place them on an equal footing with other religious communis
ties of India," and because in pursuance of this wise policy,'
the Taungdaw SadaWy the Tfiathanabaing appointed by.
King Thibaw, -was recognised by the British Government, was^
unmolested in the exercise of his functions, and was even
invited to assume ecclesiastical jurisdiction in Lower Burma..
The British Government, as the successor of King Thibaw,.
was bound to assume the rights and responsibilities of the late.
regime^ so long as those rights and responsibilities were in,,
accordance with justice, equity and good conscience. In the
same manner that it paid his State debts, repressed rebellion"
and crime, and arranged for the dispensation of justice and'
maintenance of peace and order in the newly-acquired terri-
tories, it was considered politic to exercise an effective control;
over the thousands of monks scattered over the length and'^
breadth of the land through the ThaVicf,nabaing, whom they,
had been accustomed to revere and respect in matters of,
doctrine and discipline. One of the reasons why British
dominion over Asiatic peoples is so successful is, that English- -
men have a profound dislike to disturb existing arrangements,
and they are always ready to accept native assistance and to
respect and recognise and continue in their functions native
dignitaries, whether lay or ecclesiastical. The Tfiathanabainghas
been recognised, not because the Government revere his'
person, nor berause we wish to give active support to the'
Buddhist religion to the detriment of Christianity, but because:
we are anxious, through his recognition, to be in close touch,
with the great community of Buddhist monks, and to secure
their assistance in educating the masses and in relieving the
work of our civil courts in the decision of ecclesiastical suits-
for which we have no competent agency. These points were*
clearly explained by Sir Hugh Barnes, and we cannot do^
better than refer our readers to his speech.
Under the Burmese Government, the Tliathanabaing exer-.
cised extensive powers in ecclesiastical as well as in secular^
matters. He was the King's Preceptor and Counsellor-in--
Chief, and, in matters of great public importance, his opinion
always carried weight. But under the British Government, it.,
is not expedient to leaVe his powers and privileges undefined
' .