Lives of Alcyone

some promises; he was then taken aside by Dharmajyoti, and he
cast off his ordinary dress and put on the yellow robe of those that
help the world. Then, dressed in that symbol of his new life, he
returned and prostrated himself at the feet of the Lord, who blessed
him solemnly as His new pupil, and told him to see to it that his life
proved worthy of the robe which now he wore.
That was the custom of the Lord, but by this time the whole
affair had become an elaborate ritual and the occasion for a great
feast, to which all friends of the family were invited. The candidate
was dressed with the greatest magnificence, all the family jewels
being heaped upon him; he wore the crown of a prince, and robes
made in imitation of the state dress of the King. In all this
uncomfortable finery he held a kind of final reception, at which all his
friends came and congratulated him and offered him presents, he
presiding for several days over the feasting, and all honour being
paid to him.
Upasena went through all this because it was expected of
him, yet in the midst of all this apparent triumph he had no feeling
but utter boredom and the keenest impatience for the time when all
should be over. One feature which caused him much of suffering
was that the cousin whom he loved so dearly was compelled by
family custom to take part in all this entertainment, and to offer her
congratulations with the rest.
At last came the day of the ordinance ceremony, when he
appeared before the head of the monastery. Aldebran who sat to
receive him with all his monks mustered around him. One by one he
took off all his jewels, his crown and his gorgeous robes, and cast
them at the feet of the chief abbot, announcing that he had done