DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.641#0222
THE HINDOO MYTHOLOGY. 215
The temples erected in honour of Booddhu', in the
Burman empire, are of various sizes and forms, as quadran-
gular, pentagonal, hexagonal, heptagonal, or octagonal.
Those of a round spiral form can be erected only by the
king, or by persons high in office. An elevated spot is
preferred for the erection of these edifices; but where such
an elevation cannot be found, the building is erected upon
the second, third, fourth, fifth, or sixth terrace. These
piles are generally of solid brick work, but some are filled
up with earth or rubbish; lime-stone is seldom used, gene-
rally earth or brick-dust. Those who can afford it have
their temples gilt all over, which gives them a grand ap-
pearance. A coating of black lacker being laid upon the
plaister, the gold-leaf firmly adheres. An umbrella made
of iron, and gilt, is fixed on the tops of the temples, round
the border of which some persons suspend bells; the sound
of these bells, when the wind puts them in motion, has a
pleasing effect. Bells of various sizes are sometimes hung
near a temple, which the people ring to give notice of their
arrival. Images of lions, and monsters of various descrip-
tions, facing the four quarters, or on each side of the gate-
ways, are to be seen attached to most temples.
Within the vicinity of a temple, houses of charity for
strangers are erected, in which images of Booddhu are
placed. Umbrellas and stone pots, in imitation of those
used by Goutumu as a mendicant, are also placed near
temples.
The temples of Booddhu in Ceylon are very large, some
of them capable; of containing 3,000 people. Many of
' When the author asked a Joit& why, since the object of their worship
was neither creator nor preserver, they honoured him as God, he was
answered, that it was an act of homage to exalted merit.
VOL. II. F f
The temples erected in honour of Booddhu', in the
Burman empire, are of various sizes and forms, as quadran-
gular, pentagonal, hexagonal, heptagonal, or octagonal.
Those of a round spiral form can be erected only by the
king, or by persons high in office. An elevated spot is
preferred for the erection of these edifices; but where such
an elevation cannot be found, the building is erected upon
the second, third, fourth, fifth, or sixth terrace. These
piles are generally of solid brick work, but some are filled
up with earth or rubbish; lime-stone is seldom used, gene-
rally earth or brick-dust. Those who can afford it have
their temples gilt all over, which gives them a grand ap-
pearance. A coating of black lacker being laid upon the
plaister, the gold-leaf firmly adheres. An umbrella made
of iron, and gilt, is fixed on the tops of the temples, round
the border of which some persons suspend bells; the sound
of these bells, when the wind puts them in motion, has a
pleasing effect. Bells of various sizes are sometimes hung
near a temple, which the people ring to give notice of their
arrival. Images of lions, and monsters of various descrip-
tions, facing the four quarters, or on each side of the gate-
ways, are to be seen attached to most temples.
Within the vicinity of a temple, houses of charity for
strangers are erected, in which images of Booddhu are
placed. Umbrellas and stone pots, in imitation of those
used by Goutumu as a mendicant, are also placed near
temples.
The temples of Booddhu in Ceylon are very large, some
of them capable; of containing 3,000 people. Many of
' When the author asked a Joit& why, since the object of their worship
was neither creator nor preserver, they honoured him as God, he was
answered, that it was an act of homage to exalted merit.
VOL. II. F f