DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.2371#0376
354 BUDDHIST CAVE-TEMPLES.
the exalted preaching pulpit, fit for the deity himself, was erected."
t is described nearly in the same words by Spence Hardy in his
Eastern Monachism, p. 175, and Bigandet in his Life of Gaiutama,
p. 354, after even a fuller description, adds, " The seat of the
President was placed opposite, in the northern part.1 In the centre,
but facing the east, a seat resembling a pulpit was raised," &c. If
from this we turn to the plan of the cave, Plate LIV., it will be
observed that the projecting shrine occupies precisely the position of
the throne of the President in the above description. In the cave it
is occupied by a figure of Buddha on a sihhasana, with Padmapani
and another attendant or chauri-bearers. This, however, is exactly
what might be expected more than 1,000 years after the first convo-
cation was held, and when the worship of images of Buddha had taken
the place of the purer forms that originally prevailed. It is easy to
understand that in the sixth century, when this cave probably was
excavated, the " present deity " would be considered the sanctifying
President of any assembly, and his human representative would
take his seat in front of the image. In the lower part of the hall,
where there are no cells, is a plain space, admirably suited for the
pulpit of the priest who read Bana to the assembly. The centre
of the hall, 73 feet by 32, would, according to modern calcula-
tion—5 square feet to each individual—accommodate from 450 to
500 persons, but evidently was intended for a much smaller con-
gregation. Only two stone benches are provided, and they would
hardly hold 100, but be this as it may, it seems quite evident that
this cave is not a Vihara in the ordinary sense of the term, but a
Dharmasala or place of assembly like the Nagarjuni Cave, Barabar
(p. 41), Bhima's Ratha at Mahavallipur (p. 118), and probably
Cave XX. at A j ante. The Maharwadi Cave at Blura, to be de-
scribed hereafter, is probably another of this class, and others maj
be found when they are looked for.2
1 There is some confusion here between the north and south sides of the na' >
in the least affecting the position of the President relatively to the preacher,
what we know, ante, page 50, it seems, as might be expected, the Mahawanso is c»
The entrance to the hall would be from the north, and the President's throne
naturally face it. . j
2 It is curious that this cave should retain a popular name, which is a trans
the original correct designation.
the exalted preaching pulpit, fit for the deity himself, was erected."
t is described nearly in the same words by Spence Hardy in his
Eastern Monachism, p. 175, and Bigandet in his Life of Gaiutama,
p. 354, after even a fuller description, adds, " The seat of the
President was placed opposite, in the northern part.1 In the centre,
but facing the east, a seat resembling a pulpit was raised," &c. If
from this we turn to the plan of the cave, Plate LIV., it will be
observed that the projecting shrine occupies precisely the position of
the throne of the President in the above description. In the cave it
is occupied by a figure of Buddha on a sihhasana, with Padmapani
and another attendant or chauri-bearers. This, however, is exactly
what might be expected more than 1,000 years after the first convo-
cation was held, and when the worship of images of Buddha had taken
the place of the purer forms that originally prevailed. It is easy to
understand that in the sixth century, when this cave probably was
excavated, the " present deity " would be considered the sanctifying
President of any assembly, and his human representative would
take his seat in front of the image. In the lower part of the hall,
where there are no cells, is a plain space, admirably suited for the
pulpit of the priest who read Bana to the assembly. The centre
of the hall, 73 feet by 32, would, according to modern calcula-
tion—5 square feet to each individual—accommodate from 450 to
500 persons, but evidently was intended for a much smaller con-
gregation. Only two stone benches are provided, and they would
hardly hold 100, but be this as it may, it seems quite evident that
this cave is not a Vihara in the ordinary sense of the term, but a
Dharmasala or place of assembly like the Nagarjuni Cave, Barabar
(p. 41), Bhima's Ratha at Mahavallipur (p. 118), and probably
Cave XX. at A j ante. The Maharwadi Cave at Blura, to be de-
scribed hereafter, is probably another of this class, and others maj
be found when they are looked for.2
1 There is some confusion here between the north and south sides of the na' >
in the least affecting the position of the President relatively to the preacher,
what we know, ante, page 50, it seems, as might be expected, the Mahawanso is c»
The entrance to the hall would be from the north, and the President's throne
naturally face it. . j
2 It is curious that this cave should retain a popular name, which is a trans
the original correct designation.