568 



The Pillar Towers of the British Islands. 



No. 5, 



F 



«<^r 



of a sacred pot * The second 

 figure annexed is that of a Pillar 

 Tower in the Island of Ormus, 

 in the Persian G-ulf. Sailors 

 often erroneously consider it to 

 Tbe a light house, without any 

 lantern.f 



Near the Tower of safety in 

 former times was the chapel 

 (urharia) or the place of worship, 

 which consisted of a quadran- 

 gular building ; and the solid 

 cairn (dagoba) in which the relic 

 of the body of a saint, or good 

 man, was buried. The Pillar 

 Tower, protected the priests, 

 their most precious effects, and the relics employed in worship. Fa Hian, 

 who travelled in Hindustan in the beginning of the fifth century for the 

 special purpose of studying the Buddhist ritual in its original seat, at 

 the^ime it was the prevailing religion of India, has left us an interesting 

 account of his travels in that country .J He informs us that in his time, 

 as indeed in Buddhist countries of the present day, the relics of the great 

 Buddhist saints, were considered of inestimable value ; and when a Temple 

 or city possessed such a treasure, its security was ensured by every 

 possible means. Fa Hian informs us that Kakie^ a city east of 

 Grhuzni, possessed a portion of the skull of Buddha, (Foe), for which 

 the king of the country entertained the greatest veneration. The relic 

 was gilded, and covered with the most costly ornaments ; and so much 

 afraid was he of its being purloined-, that eight chiefs of the ^rmci- 3 , 

 pal families of the kingdom, had each a -seal, which they set on the gate 

 of the chapel, or " Tower of deliverance."" Early in the morning the 

 eight proceeded to verify the seals, and then opened* the gate. On 

 entering, the chief washed his hands, took up the venerated skull-bone 

 of Buddha, conveyed it to the chapel, and secured it, under a bell- 



# In Major Cunningham's Bhilsa Topes, Plate 32, No. 2. 



f London Illustrated News for 3rd January, 1857 



J The Journal of this pilgrim was translated from the Chinese by M. M. 

 Eemusat, Klaproth and Landresse ; and reprinted in Calcutta, in 1848,, With 

 interesting notes and illustrations by J a W. Laidlay, Esq. 



