CHAP. IV.] THE EARLY BUDDHIST MONUMENTS. 349 



a plough drawn by elephants. 1 A second monastery B.C. 

 was erected by him on the summit of Mihintala 2 ; a 289 - 

 third was attached to the dagoba of the Thuparamaya, 

 and others were rapidly founded in every quarter of the 

 island. 3 



It was in all probability 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'lkception of statues ; and that apartments 

 so consecrated were devoted to the ceremonies and 

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

 the dwellings of the priests were identified with the 

 chaityas and sacred edifices, and the name of the Wihara 

 came to designate indifferently 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 Egyptian 

 chambers, and is filled with figures and illustrations of 

 the legends of Gotama, whose statue, with hand uplifted 

 in the attitude of admonition, or reclining in repose 

 emblematic of the blissful state of Mrwana, is placed in 

 the d mniest recess of the edifice. Here lamps cast a 

 feeble light, 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 



1 Mahawatiso, ch. xv. p. 99. \ Rohuna and Mahagam were equally 



2 Mahawamo, ch. xx. p. 123. xcalous in their devout labours, the 



3 Five hundred were built by one j one having erected sixty-four wi- 

 king alone, the third in succession j haras in the east of the island, and 

 from Devenipiatissa, B.C. 246 {Ma- the other sixty-eight in the south. 

 hau-anso, ch. xxi. p. 127). About Mahawanso, ch. xxiv. p. 145, 148. 

 the same period the petty chiefs of j 



