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BIRMAH. 221)
Mr. Burnet, though evidently noticed, was not spoken
to by the emperor, whose mind was at this time wholly
occupied with the changes which he meditated introducing
in the ecclesiastical system of the empire,* but
which, it seems, he found it impracticable or impolitic
to carry into effect. A few months after, the new regulations
were repealed (it is said at the intercession of
the queen), and the priesthood were again admitted to
his favour
* "
Among the observations that were made by him on the
subject, he said, that he feared too many resorted to a religious
life from a love of indolence that he did not ;
pretend to be learned
in these matters himself, but, as the head of the religion of his
dominions, it was his duty to see that those immediately intrusted
with its rites were well informed ; and in consequence, he gave
orders that candidates for the superiority of keoums should in
future undergo a more strict examination. His courtiers main-
tained a humble and profound silence, except when occasionally
answering in the affirmative. It appears that his majesty is much
dissatisfied with the present state of religion in his dominions,
and meditates some great changes. He has found the priesthood
in general miserably ignorant ; even his arch-priest cannot satisfy
his doubts. He says, they read over their canonical books, when
they first enter the monastic life, as a task imposed on school-
boys ; and although they have no other employment to engage
their attention, they never afterwards investigate or inquire into
the mystical meaning of their rites ;
so that they are totally unfit
to instruct the people. Hence the various abuses that have crept
into their religion the ; building of small pagodas, the use of beads,
&c., all of which are cloaks for hypocrisy, and unauthorised by. the
tenets of their ancient faith. These he means to forbid ; also the
practice of the poonghees taking servants with them to carry the
and to restrain the number
provisions they collect in the morning ;
of poonghees. These severe strictures and meditated reforms alarm
his courtiers very much : they dare not remonstrate, and are afraid
to obey." P. 231. It seems that Minderajee-praw was in no small
degree under the influence of the Brahmin magi attached to his
court. He wished to introduce an additional intercallary moon, in
order to rectify die Birman calendar ;
but the rhahaans resisted
the innovation, and in the end prevailed. See As. Res. vol. vL
p. 170.