Boni in Chinese Sources - Nalanda-Sriwijaya Centre - iseas

Kurz: Boni in Chinese Sources NSC Working Paper No. 4Shanawannuoye 沙 那 萬 喏 耶 , another uncle of Xiawang, was the chef de mission. Theemperor felt that because he had come from a very far place and had taken great risks totravel, he should be treated especially well and generous. 139On 28 February 1426, warm clothes, among them socks and boots were given toShanawannuoye, the chieftain Sheng Alie 生 阿 烈 and the other eighty six members of thedelegation. Special presents consisting of copper cash, headwear and belts were received byShanawanuoye, Sheng Alie and fifteen more members of the Boni mission. They stayed onuntil 13 April 1426. The emperor recalling the good relations with Manarejiananai andXiawang, as well as the regular appearance of Boni envoys to submit tribute, ordered theMinistry of Rites to give them twice the amount of presents on their departure. 140This is the last recorded visit of a Boni envoy at the imperial court in Beijing. One later entryis rather informative because it gives information about the maintenance of the sacrifices ofthe tomb of Manarejiananai. Ouyang Duo 歐 陽 鐸 , the Chief Minister of the Nanjing Court ofImperial Entertainments (guanglusi qing 光 祿 寺 卿 ), had the following to say:At the Fengxian Hall 奉 先 殿 in Nanjing, every year one lamb is used in sacrifice whilefor the suburban altar sacrifices four sheep are used. Sheep thus indeed have to beraised in advance. As to the sheep to be sacrificed at the tomb of the king of thecountry of Boni, there should be a proportional allotment for that purpose. However,there are now over 100 ewes and rams and the fodder grain expenses areincalculable. It is requested that the surplus sheep all be sold, with funds obtainedgoing to the government. Agreements with those who shear and take the woolshould be terminated. 141This shows that the sacrifices had been going on regularly, but that since the maintenanceof a large herd of sheep cost some money, a pragmatic solution was sought and found.139 Ming Xuanzong shilu 12.1a‐b (319‐20).140 Ming Xuanzong shilu 15.4b (398).141 Ming Shizong shilu 116.4b (2752). The translation is from Wade, Southeast Asia in the Ming Shi‐lu,http://epress.nus.edu.sg/msl/entry/1875, accessed 16 April 2005.43