294 -O^ "^^^ RELIGION AND 



who has any dependance on a European, will call him 

 ThakiayVg or Mayn, which fignify prince, but he will 

 by no means call him Bura. Although this be the 

 common name for thefe temples, yet it is only a term 

 of refpeft, their proper name in the Burma language 

 being Zedee, 



Although many large temples, which are hollow 

 within, contain fuch images as areconfidered of par- 

 ticular fan6tity; yet the greater number of the images 

 deftined for the adoration of the laity, are placed in 

 chapels, if I may foufe the word, which furround the 

 pyramids containing the relics of Godama's perfon, 

 and which the Burmas call Bura Kiaung. In thefe 

 images Godama is always reprefented as a young man 

 of a placid countenance, with Itrongly charafterifed 

 Burma features, and generally in the drefsof a Rahan. 

 His poftures are various. The moft common is that 

 of fitting crofs legged upon a throne, with his left hand 

 refting on his leg, and holding a book, and with his 

 right hand hanging over his knee. In other images he 

 is reprefented ftanding, and that in fourpoftures; each 

 differing fomewhat in the pofition of his hands. In 

 others he is reprefented reclining on a couch, with his 

 head fupported on pillows*. The throne on which 

 he is placed, is exactly like the royal throne. Having 

 imagined, that the delineations of the Hindu gods 

 floating on the leaves of the lotus, derived their origin 

 from imperfeft traditions concerning the deluge, the 

 vigorous fancy of Paulinus diCcoversa reprefentation 

 of the elegant flowers of that plant in the fimple orna-r 

 ments of thefe thrones. Mus. Borg. pag. 67, com- 

 pared with tab. 1. fig. 5. The images of the god are 

 of very various materials; clay, copper, filver, and 

 "ilabafter. Many of them are completely gilded, and 

 many partly gilded, and partly ornamented with paint- 

 ings of flowers. The fize alfo of thefe images varies 

 exceedingly : Tome are not above fix inches high, and 

 others are of a moft coloflal ftature. I faw an image 



in 

 t See page 260 of this Volume. 



