1865. J Report of the Archaeological Survey. 197 



237. Close to the staircase there was a stone pillar, 70 feet in 

 height, which had been erected by King Asoka. It was formed of a 

 hard, fine-grained reddish stone, and had a brilliant polish. On its 

 summit was a lion, who was seated facing the steps. There were figures 

 also sculptured inside the pillar with marvellous art, which were visible 

 only to the virtuous. This is Hwen Thsang's account, with which Fa 

 Hian's agrees in almost every particular ; but he adds a curious legend 

 about a dispute between the Sramanas and heretics. "If," said the 

 former, " this place ought to be the abode of the Sramanas, let a super- 

 natural testimony proclaim it. They had no sooner finished this speech 

 than the lion on the summit uttered a loud roar." 



238. There were several Stupas at Sankisa, of which the most 

 famous were the following : — 



1st. — On the spot where Buddha descended from the Trayastrinsa 

 heaven, accompanied by Indra and Brahma. This Stupa is not men- 

 tioned by Hwen Thsang, but it is noticed by Fa Hian, and in the 

 Barmese life of Buddha. 



2nd. — On the spot where the four Buddhas had formerly sat and 

 taken exercise. 



3rd. — At the place where Buddha bathed. 



4th and 5th. — Two small Stupas of Indra and Brahma. 



6th. — On the spot where the female mendicant Pundarikavamd 

 obtained the first sight of Buddha on his descent. 



7th. — On the spot where Buddha cut his hair and nails. 



239. The only other place of note at Sankisa was the tank of a 

 Ndga, or serpent, which was situated to the south-east of the great Stupa. 

 Fa Hian says that this Ndga had white ears ; that he lived in the 

 dwelling-place of the " ecclesiastics ;" and that he conferred fertility and 

 abundance on the " coimtry by causing gentle showers to fall upon the 

 fields, and securing them from all calamities." A chapel was erected 

 for his use, and he was said to make his appearance once a year. 

 " When the ecclesiastics perceive him, they present him with cream in 

 a copper vessel." 



240. Hwen Thsang's account of Sankisa is unfortunately so mea- 

 gre that we have but little to guide us in our attempt to identify the 

 holy places of his time with any of the ruins of the present day. The 

 only spot that can be identified with any certainty is the tank of the 



