BOODHISTS JAINS. 235 



of the latter faith have been induced to believe the two re- 

 ligions to be the same. The Boodhists erect temples much 

 larger and more magnificent, and images of more gigantic 

 dimensions, than the worshippers of Brama. But the most 

 remarkable feature in this belief is its local situation, from 

 which attempts have been made to deduce its origin and 

 history. There was evidently a time when it prevailed ex- 

 tensively throughout India ; and several great dynasties, 

 particularly of Magadha, were Boodhist. But now almost 

 every trace of it has been obliterated from Hindostan, while 

 it rules in all the neighbouring countries to the east and 

 north, and has overspread nearly the whole extent of 

 Eastern Asia. It is fully established in Thibet, Bootan, 

 Birmah, Siam, and Ceylon : it is supposed to be the same 

 with that of Fo, which is prevalent in China, and with that 

 of Shamanism, which is diffused through the wide regions 

 of Tartary. From these facts Mr. Joinville arid other 

 writers deduce the inference that this creed was once held 

 by a large proportion of the people of Hindostan ; that a 

 bloody war, imbittered by a furious persecution, was waged 

 between them and the votaries of Brama ; and that the 

 latter were completely victorious, when the followers of 

 Boodh were expelled and sought refuge in all the surround- 

 ing states, where they succeeded in establishing their faith. 

 We cannot but consider this opinion as somewhat con- 

 jectural ; and it must appear singular that there should not 

 remain any record of the wars and persecution which are 

 here supposed to have taken place. However, the two re- 

 ligions cannot have had an origin remote from each other, 

 since, as we learn from Dr. Leyden, the Pali, or sacred 

 language of the Boodhist Birmahs, is only a dialect of the 

 Sanscrit. 



But as Boodhism is no longer professed in India, we are 

 not called upon to explain its doctrines. Its moral precepts 

 appear fully as pure and efficacious as the Braminical. The 

 doctrine of transmigration is still more deeply rooted in it, 

 being particularly cherished by the followers of the Grand 

 Lama or priest-sovereign of Thibet, whose soul, when it 

 quits this earthly abode, is supposed instantly to animate the 

 frame of an infant, and thereby to perpetuate his own 

 identity. 



The Jains, or Joinas, are a sect very numerous in Western 



