Boni in Chinese Sources - Nalanda-Sriwijaya Centre - iseas

Kurz: Boni in Chinese Sources NSC Working Paper No. 4恭 順 (Respectful and Obedient). 89 The emperor dispatched officials to performsacrifices and also sent officials to console the king’s wife and children. The king’swife bowed before the officials and said: “Your obedient vassal’s life was short andhe was not able to bear the profound favours of the Emperor, and he could notserve the Emperor and reciprocate [for his kindness]. He left an order, ‘never forgetthe favours of the Emperor in the coming generations’. We must follow his words, asif he had not died!” The words of the king’s wife can really be called wise. On thegengyin day of the same month (3 November 1408) 90 , the king received aceremonious burial on the Shizigang outside the Ande Gate. By imperial order a textwas composed as a record to be put next to his tomb.The king’s father was named Manareshanawang 麻 那 惹 沙 那 旺 ; his mother’s namewas Cishibadi 刺 失 八 的 ; his wife was called Taxiye 他 係 邪 . His son was calledXiawang 遐 旺 , who was just four years of age; and he had two daughters. [Byimperial order] Xiawang was conferred the royal title, given generous presents[which included] a cap and an official robe, a jade belt, ceremonial items, saddles,dresses, vessels and gold and silver, silk brocades, and cash money. The king’s wifewas conferred an official dress, a pearl cap, silk brocade and cash money. 91 Theothers were all given presents according to their rank. The [late] king’s threeyounger brothers, namely Shilinannanare 施 里 難 那 那 惹 , Shiliweiruonasha 施 里 微喏 那 沙 那 , and Nawanruoye 那 萬 喏 邪 , 92 were given official positions, to make themsupport Xiawang. By imperial decree a shrine was set up at the royal tomb. Threemen were installed as tomb guards. On imperial order a stele was erected beneaththe shrine. I, Guang, was ordered to compose the text for the stele inscription.Looking up to the August Emperor, I observe that he pacified the empire, spreadinghis Heavenly Virtue profusely, and embracing every place. All places where the sunand moon shine on, with a happy heart honestly turn to him, fearing only they maycome in last. The countries, that have offered tribute for the first time, have causeda jam at the court, [numbering] ten thousand and more every year. The king of Boniwas distant from China by several ten thousand li, [yet] one day he sailed with hiswife and his children, his younger brothers and sisters, close relatives and officials,over the great ocean and came to court, not even considering [the voyage as]difficult. He kowtowed at the steps to the throne and gave a speech. His loyalty andhonesty were abundant, and his intentions were as solid as gold. In his last words onhis deathbed, he entrusted what he deeply felt to his retinue, namely to not forgetthe favours of the Emperor. His eminent virtue increasingly touched all hearts, soprofound was it. Alas – so abundant was it! The king’s wisdom and understanding ,and the integrity of his loyalty and obedience were one from beginning to end. Hedeserved to be given all the honours and that these also extended to his successor.The reason for recording these facts, praising them in a rhymed tomb inscription,and proclaiming them without restraint, to make manifest, why the king receivedsuch generous favours, is all due to his sincerity.The tomb inscription reads:89 Brown translates hou xudian 厚 卹 典 as “generous consolatory gifts”.90 Brown gives the date as the fifth of the tenth month 24 October 1408). However, the gengyin day was in factthe sixteenth day of that month.91 Brown addresses the pearl cap as “a crown of pearls”.92 Brown opts to add the last syllable of the second brother’s name to the third brother’s name, thusaddressing him as Nanawanruoye. I am following here the modern edition of the text.31