Showing 5 results

Letter from Ven. W. Subhuti at Waskaduwa Vihara to William Claxton Peppé in Birdpore, in which he writes to say that he has received a parcel containing 21 relics, which he will open only in the presence of 'a large Buddhist community' to avoid suspicions over the genuineness of the relics. He thanks Peppé for his kindness and expresses gratitude on behalf of all the Buddhists in Ceylon. He has informed the King of Siam of Peppé's intention to takes the relics himself to Siam to present them to the King at the suggestion of the Prince Priest. The latter is still in Buddha Gaya and he intends to write to him to return to Ceylon. He asks Peppé to answer his earlier questions. Handwritten, 3 sides, dated 7 October 1898.

Letter from Ven. W. Subhuti at Waskudawa Vihara to William Claxton Peppé in Birdpore, in which he writes that he understands that Peppé gave relics to the government but was offered 'as much as you like'. He regrets that he has not heard from Peppé and thinks that he has lost interest. He daily expects to hear from Peppé. At the head of the letter Peppé has added 'Sent him 20 relics & one gold roll'. Handwritten, 2 sides, dated 8 August 1898.

Letter from Ven. W. Subhuti, High Priest of Waskaduwe Vihara, Kalutara, Ceylon, to William Claxton Peppé in Birdpore, in which he writes that he has received Peppé's letter of 14th. He has heard that the Piprahwa relics and other articles are now 'in charge of Govt' and that Peppé has been allowed to keep some for his own disposal. He has heard of 'false rumours' about the bone relics and therefore has a series of questions to which he seeks answers. He lists five questions about the relics and asks about comparisons with other Buddha relics. Major Dean has written to him about bone relics found by him in a stupa in the Chitral war which he sent to a museum. Dean had also sent him two boxes of ancient Buddhist sculptures found at the same time. He now waits anxiously to receive some bone relics from Peppé. He informs Peppé that Prince Priest Jinawarawansa is now at Buddha-Gaya. Handwritten, 4 sides, dated 17 June 1898.

This series contains all the papers donated to the Royal Asiatic Society by Neil Peppé. There is correspondence with William Claxton Peppé, lists of the excavation finds, some site plans, and a draft of Peppé's article for the Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society.

The Papers include correspondence with Wiiliam Claxton Peppé, lists of the finds, some plans of the site, and a draft of an article by Peppé published in the Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society, 1898, pp. 573-588. There is further allied material relating to the originals.