OBJECTS OF RELIGIOUS CEREMONIAL 173 



eyelashes. It is therefore an emblem of wakefulness and watch- 

 fulness in the striving after perfection. Height, 12 inches; length 

 18 inches. Japan. (Plate 64 (upper) front; Plate 64 (lower) back. 

 <Cat. No. 150893, U.S.N.M.) 3* 



350. Wooden fish (Chinese, mo-yii; Japanese, moJcugio). — Carved, 

 and painted red, with wooden mallet for striking it. Similar to the 

 preceding No. 349. Height, lOK inches; length, 14 inches. Shang- 

 hai, China. (Cat. No. 158296, U.S.N.M.) 



351. Wooden drum (Chinese, siao-Jcu). — Shaped like two flat 

 plates put together. It is carried by the priest in processions and 

 struck on the side. Diameter, 7}2 inches. Shanghai, China. (Cat. 

 No. 155300, U.S.N.M.) 



352. The 9-toned hell (Chinese, chin yin-lo). — Made of copper. 

 Consisting of 10 small gongs suspended in a screen or gate-like cabinet 

 which is struck with a small stick as an accompaniment to prayer. 

 Height, 24 inches; width, 22 inches. Shanghai, China. (Plate 65, 

 Cat. No. 158305, U.S.N.M.) 



353. Triratna, or the three jewels — namely, Buddha, the law (dharma), 

 und the congregation (sangha). — Wood, red and black lacquered and 

 gilt. Represented by three columns set on a base. The center cone, 

 which represents Buddha, issues from a lotus flower and in its cir- 

 <}umference are set five Buddha figurines of ivory, of which three 

 are seated in the witness position and two in that of meditation. 

 They are probably intended to represent the five mundane {inanushi) 

 Buddhas of the present age. Between the petals of the lotus are 

 carved five open lotuses and beneath them five leaves inlaid with pieces 

 of shell and looking-glass. The two side columns, which represent 

 the law and the congregation, respectively, are carved in the shape of 

 a closed lotus, flattened on one side, into which is inserted an ivory 

 panel, representing Buddha standing in the gift-bestowing attitude. 

 Height, 17 inches; width, 12^ inches. Laos, Further India. (Plate 

 66, Cat. No. 217501, U.S.N.M.) 



354. Triratna. — Wood, lacquered and gilt. Representing Buddha 

 standing in the center, while the two figures on the right and left are 

 sitting. On the base is an inscription in Pali. Height, 14 inches; 

 width, 7 inches. Laos, Further India. (Plate 67, Cat. No. 217585, 

 U.S.N.M.) 



355. Triratna. — Terra cotta relief, finely molded. Buddha seated 

 in the witness position in a niche, formed of a pointed arch resting on 

 columns, an elaborate halo of rays rising above liis head. The two 



' sThe Rev. David Crockett Graham in his dissertation, Religion in Szechuan Province, says (quoting 

 from the manuscript): "While reading [the scriptures! the Chinese priest beats a wooden fish with a 

 wooden mallet, one stroke for every word. There is a legend that the Buddhist scriptures were once lost 

 in a sea or a river and were swallowed by a great fish. The fish was caught and by beating compelled to 

 give the scriptures back. The wooden flsh is, therefore, beaten even by Taoist priests, when scriptures 

 are ceremonially read." 



