1841] Remarks on a Boodhist Coin. 575 



(d. fig. 1,) for the moon; in the latter case it is another evidence of 

 the spurious nature of the symbol of this coin, as these two lumina- 

 ries have nothing particular to do in Boodhist writ. 



The symbols on the left hand of the coin, figured by themselves, 

 (fig. 7,) are very common Boodhist ones. The lower one (c. fig. 7,) 

 is most probably a representation of the Swastika or cross, the distin- 

 guishing mark of a class of mystical Boodhists anterior to the time of 

 Gaudama. The three parallel lines, or scores marked (b. fig. 7,) is a re- 

 presentation of the tri-glyph, the usual emblem of the Boodhist Triad, 

 when they were wished to be expressed as three distinct things, viz. 

 Eooddhd goon, " God or Boodha." Dhamma goon, " the Law," 

 and Senggha goon, "the Congregation." When these three were to be 

 represented as one, in fact the Trinity {thar ana goon " the decisive at- 

 tributes") then the tri-glyph was joined at the bottom like a trident.* 

 (a. fig. 70 As standards are very commonly found among Boodhist 

 symbols, it is more than probable that the three glyphs were borne upon 

 the banner; whilst the trident surmounted the staff. The tri-glyph 

 seems to have been the cognisance of the town of Arracan, which was 

 a famous seat of Boodhism according to tradition; and hence might 

 have arose its name in Ptolemy of Tri-glyphon, which is the Greek 

 translation he gives of the Hellenised term Tri-lingum, shewing that 

 his information must have come from Brahmins, and that the latter had 

 already began to appropriate to themselves the rights of an elder caste. 



I have said that the three glyphs when joined at the bottom were 

 symbolic of the Trinity, or Supreme Divinity; I believe it to be the 

 prototype of the Coptic, ^ implying "potentiality"; the following are 

 its types in the Hieratic Egyptian JJ£, in the Hieroglyphic ffiOij which 

 last would be considered a very expressive Booddhic symbol. 



It may not be here out of place to remark, that among many early 

 nations three scores, or marks, were emblematic of the Supreme 

 Divinity, either as among the ancient Hebrews by the three Yods 

 Y/Y ; or by the high priest distending three fingers as he stretched out 

 his hand over the assembled multitudes whilst bestowing his yearly 

 benediction ; many instances to this effect might be collected from 



* To explain myself more clearly, if in the Doxology it were required to express 

 by symbols, God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost, then the 

 tri-glyph would be used ; if to express the Supreme and Triune God, then the trident. 



