Burmese Sketches - Khamkoo

2^0
6URME8E SKBtClIES.
and in a nebulous condition, because there is no unwritten
law, precedent, custom, or usage to appeal to, and because
we are not prepared to accept unquestioned the authority of
the Pali Buddhist Scriptures, by which ecclesiastical affairs
are governed. It was, therefore, necessary to draw up a
sanid^ and to grant it to the Taunggwin Sadaw on condition
that he " shall continue to give his assistance and
support to Government and shall not contravene, or countenance
the contravention of its laws." The sanad openly
declares that the Thathanabaing and his ecclesiastical digni-
taries are subject to the ordinary jurisdiction of the British
courts of justice, and that subject to this proviso, the Thalha^
nabaing is recognised as " supreme in all matters relating to
the internal administration and control of the Buddhist hierarchy
in Upper Burma, the discipline of the monastic Order,
and the repression of abuses therein/' Without the assistance
of the secular authorities, the judicial decisions of the
Thathanabaing and his dignitaries will not advance much beyond
the stage of obiler dicta j so a provision, which will
gladden the hearts of all pongj/is, has been inserted that '* the
civil courts will, within the limits of their jurisdiction, give
effect to the orders of the Thathanabaing, and of the Gaing-
gyok^^ GaingSks and Gaingdauks, and other ecclesiastical
authorities duly appointed by him, in so far as those orders
relate to matters which are within the competence of those
authorities "
Next to the enforcement of ecclesiastical
courts, the most important provision runs as
decrees by civil
follows :— *' The
Government expect the IhoLihanahaing and the Gai7iggij6ks,
GaingokSy and Gaingdaiiks under his authority to use their
influence on the side of law and order and to assist in the
work of education." The unruly monks, who do not know
how to apply their energies usefully or make use of opportunities,
will now be kept under restraint. We trust the Taung*
gwin Sadaw will soon have a census taken of them, will
enforce monastic discipline among them, and will make them
realise their great responsibilities as the educators of their
face. We hope also that he will see that only duly qualified
monks are admitted into the Buddhist Order in the future,
and that they are kept fully occupied in their legitimate avocations
of preaching, teaching and writing. As regards the
work of education, it remains for the Director of Public
Instruction to arrange with the Thathanabaing for the improve-
ipent of primary and secondary education in the vernacular.