[1] When
this was over, they went on among the hills for twenty-five days, and
got to K'eeh-ch'a, there rejoining Hwuy-king and his two companions.
[Footnote 1: This was the retreat already twice mentioned as kept by the
pilgrims in the summer, the different phraseology, "quiet rest," without
any mention of the season, indicating their approach to India. Two, if
not three, years had elapsed since they left Ch'ang-gan. Are we now with
them in 402?]
CHAPTER V
~Great Quinquennial Assembly of Monks~
It happened that the king of the country was then holding the pancha
parishad; that is, in Chinese, the great quinquennial assembly. When
this is to be held, the king requests the presence of the Sramans from
all quarters of his kingdom. They come as if in clouds; and when they
are all assembled, their place of session is grandly decorated. Silken
streamers and canopies are hung out in it, and water-lilies in gold and
silver are made and fixed up behind the places where the chief of them
are to sit. When clean mats have been spread, and they are all seated,
the king and his ministers present their offerings according to rule and
law. The assembly takes place in the first, second, or third month, for
the most part in the spring.
After the king has held the assembly, he further exhorts the ministers
to make other and special offerings.
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