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Art. X.—Notice on Buddhist Symbols
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 14 March 2011
Extract
I have the honour to transmit to you, for presentation to the Society, two sheets containing collectively 143 symbols of Buddhism, whereof the first 33, occupying the two uppermost lines, are taken from coins published in the J.R.A.S., but all the rest from the Saugata temples and imáges of the Valley of Nepal. To these sketches of Buddhist symbols I add six separate ones of celebrated characters, either belonging to, or most closely connected with, the same creed, and which also were obtained in Nepal, the four first from images in stone; the two last from illuminated manuscripts. The numismatic symbols, presumably Buddhist, were brought together, from printed sources, many years back, with the view of obtaining explanations of their import from the learned Saugatas of Nepal; and with the same view, everything in the shape of a symbol, which my immense collection of drawings taken from the temples, statues, and pictures of Buddhism in Nepal, contained, was similarly brought together and added to the former series. Of the result I have no distinct recollection at this distance of time; but I believe that more pressing objects intervened to shut out from my view and memory this project, and that no explanations were obtained.
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References
page 393 note 1 Considerations of cost have induced the omission of the symbols derived from coins. The curious will find them, however, in the Journals of the Bengal and London Asiatic Societies.
page 394 note 1 See in J.A.S.B. my translation from the Swayambhu purána of the legend of the dessication of the Nága vása or valley of Nepal in its lacustrine state. In that legend the very close and significant connexion of the great orthodox and heterodox fanes of Nepal, or those of Pasupati náth and of Swayambhu náth, is shown.
page 396 note 1 Omitted as very commonly known.
page 397 note 1 Compare the “devil dance” of the Veddahs of Ceylon, apud SirTennent, E., with my account of the same performance by the Bódos of the Sikim Tarai, in Aborigines of India, pp. 171, 172Google Scholar. A more general comparison will but confirm the opinion expressed in the text.
page 399 note 1 Each of these celestial Bnddhas has appropriate marks, consisting (besides diverse colours) of 1st, the múdra er position of the hands; 2nd, the váhana or supporters; 3rd, the china or cognizance (symbol) placed between the supporters; 4th, fixed position in the Chaityas. Akshóbhya being always enshrined in the eastern niche; Ratna Sambhava in the southern; Amitabha in the western; and Amógha Siddha in the northern.