CiiAP. IV.] THE EARLY BUDDHIST MONUMENTS. 



349 



a plough drawn by elephants.* A second monastery b.c. 

 was erected by him on the summit of Miliintala ^ ; a ^^^' 

 third was attached to tlie dagoba of the Thuparamaya, 

 and others were rapidly founded in every quarter of the 

 island.^ 



It was in all probabihty owing to the growth of these 

 institutions, and the establishment of colleges in con- 

 nection with them, that halls were eventually appro- 

 priated for the reception of statues ; and that apartments 

 so consecrated were devoted to the ceremonies and 

 worship of Buddha. Hence, at a very early period, 

 the dwelhngs of the priests were identified with the 

 chaityas and sacred edifices, and the name of the Wihara 

 came to designate indiiferently both the temple and the 

 monastery. 



But the hall which contains the figures of Buddha, 

 and which constitutes the " temple " proper, is always 

 detached from the domestic buildings, and is frequently 

 placed on an eminence from which the view is com- 

 manding. The interior is painted in the style of EgyjDtian 

 chambers, and is filled with figures and illustrations of 

 the legends of Gotama, whose statue, with hand uphfted 

 in the attitude of admonition, or reclining in repose 

 emblematic of the bhssfid state of Nu-wana, is placed in 

 the dimmest recess of the edifice. Here lamps cast a 

 feeble hght, and the air is heavy with the perfume of 

 flowers, which are daily renewed by fresh offerings from 

 the worshippers at the shrines. 



In no other system of idolatry, ancient or modern, 

 have the rites been administered by such a multitude 

 of priests as assist in the passionless ceremonial of 



^ Mahmcanso, cb. xv. p. 99. 



"^ Malidicanso, ch. xx. p. 123. 



^ Five hundred were built by one 

 king alone, the tliird in succession 

 from Devenipiatissa, B.C. 246 (Ma- 

 hmvamo, cli. xxi. p. 127). About 

 the same period the petty chiefs of , 



Rohuna and Mahagam were equally 

 zealous in their devout labours, tlie 

 one having erected sixtv-fom* wi- 

 baras in the east of the island, and 

 the other sixty-eight in the south. — 

 3Iahawanso, ch. xxiv. p. 145; 148. 



