DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.614#0410
APPENDIX B.
367
are a hundred temples of the [Hindu] gods, and about ten thousand
heretics [Hindus], who, for the most part, worship the god Ta-tsen-
thsai [Mdheiwara, Deva). Some cut off the hair, others reserve a
tuft upon the crown of the head, go naked, and are destitute of
any kind of clothing (the Nirgranikas). Some besmear their bodies
with ashes (the Pdsupatas), and zealously practise severe austerities,
in order to obtain release from life and death, [that is, from transmi-
gration].
In the capital there are twenty temples of the [Hindu] gods.1
Towers of many storeys are seen there; and magnificent chapels,
constructed of stone, skilfully carved, and of richly painted wood.
Umbrageous trees cover them with their shade; and streams of
clear water flow in all directions. The statue of the god {Maheswam
Deva), in Teou-chi (brass), is little less than a hundred feet in height.
Its aspect is grave and majestic; and, at sight of it, one is filled with
respectful awe, as if it were, indeed, alive.
To the north-east of the capital, and to the west of the river of
Po'-Io-ni-sse (Varanasi, that is, the Ganges), is a Stiipa [or sacred
tower], built by king Wou-yeou (Asoka), about one hundred feet
high. A stone column stands over against it, of blue colour, bright
as a mirror, and of a highly polished surface, in which one may al-
ways discover the shadow of Jou-lai (the Tathagata).
Passing on about ten lis north-east from the river of Po'-lo-ni-sse
(Varanasi), he reached the Monastery of the Deer Park (Mrigadava),
which is divided into eight sections, and is entirely surrounded by
walls. There you see balustrades and two-storeyed pavilions, of
admirable construction. The devotees—of whom there are as many
as fifteen hundred—study the doctrine of the school Telling-Hang-pou,
holding to the Minor Vehicle. In the midst of the walled enclosure
is a Vihdra, two hundred feet in height, surmounted by an 'An-mo-lo
(Amra, or mango), wrought in embossed gold. The foundations
and stairs are of stone. All round the monument there are a
hundred rows of niches, made of brick, arranged one above another,
1 This shows that the ' hundred temples,' with the ' ten thousand heretics' at-
tached to them, comprised the numher in the entire kingdom of Benares. In like
manner, the 'thirty (Buddhist) monasteries,' with their three thousand occupants,
refer riot merely to the city, hut to the whole kingdom, the city included.
367
are a hundred temples of the [Hindu] gods, and about ten thousand
heretics [Hindus], who, for the most part, worship the god Ta-tsen-
thsai [Mdheiwara, Deva). Some cut off the hair, others reserve a
tuft upon the crown of the head, go naked, and are destitute of
any kind of clothing (the Nirgranikas). Some besmear their bodies
with ashes (the Pdsupatas), and zealously practise severe austerities,
in order to obtain release from life and death, [that is, from transmi-
gration].
In the capital there are twenty temples of the [Hindu] gods.1
Towers of many storeys are seen there; and magnificent chapels,
constructed of stone, skilfully carved, and of richly painted wood.
Umbrageous trees cover them with their shade; and streams of
clear water flow in all directions. The statue of the god {Maheswam
Deva), in Teou-chi (brass), is little less than a hundred feet in height.
Its aspect is grave and majestic; and, at sight of it, one is filled with
respectful awe, as if it were, indeed, alive.
To the north-east of the capital, and to the west of the river of
Po'-Io-ni-sse (Varanasi, that is, the Ganges), is a Stiipa [or sacred
tower], built by king Wou-yeou (Asoka), about one hundred feet
high. A stone column stands over against it, of blue colour, bright
as a mirror, and of a highly polished surface, in which one may al-
ways discover the shadow of Jou-lai (the Tathagata).
Passing on about ten lis north-east from the river of Po'-lo-ni-sse
(Varanasi), he reached the Monastery of the Deer Park (Mrigadava),
which is divided into eight sections, and is entirely surrounded by
walls. There you see balustrades and two-storeyed pavilions, of
admirable construction. The devotees—of whom there are as many
as fifteen hundred—study the doctrine of the school Telling-Hang-pou,
holding to the Minor Vehicle. In the midst of the walled enclosure
is a Vihdra, two hundred feet in height, surmounted by an 'An-mo-lo
(Amra, or mango), wrought in embossed gold. The foundations
and stairs are of stone. All round the monument there are a
hundred rows of niches, made of brick, arranged one above another,
1 This shows that the ' hundred temples,' with the ' ten thousand heretics' at-
tached to them, comprised the numher in the entire kingdom of Benares. In like
manner, the 'thirty (Buddhist) monasteries,' with their three thousand occupants,
refer riot merely to the city, hut to the whole kingdom, the city included.