A History of Indian Literature v2.c19.s5.139

v2.c19.s5.139

⁴ It seems to me doubtful that this means the Dīpavaṁsa, as is assumed by Geiger (Mahāvaṁsa, Transl., p. xi). It certainly gives a false idea of the epic Mahāvaṁsa, if we designate it as a "commentary" on the Dīpavaṁsa, as is done by *Fleet* (JRAS 1909, p. 5) whose view is supported by *Geiger* (Mahāvaṃsa Transl. p. xi f.; Pāli Literatur und Sprache, p. 24). I consider Fleet's explanation of the passage in Mahāv. 38, 59 (ed. Turnour, p. 257 f., Cūlavaṃsa, ed. Geiger, I, p. 26) to which he refers, as erroneous. There is no question of the composition of a "Dīpikā" or a commentary, but it is merely related that King Dhātusena made a donation of 1,000 pieces of gold and commanded that, at the great Bodhi celebration in front of the memorial temple of the Mahāthera Mahinda, the monks assembled there should always expound the Dīpavaṃsa (in Singhalese) in return for which they should receive sweetmeats.