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descended to the earth with the gods Brahma and Indra by three stair- 
cases, one of which was formed either of crystal or precious stones, 
another of gold, and the third of silver. According to Fa Hian, Buddha 
descended by a staircase formed of the ‘seven precious things,”—that 
is, the precious metals and precious gems; whilst Brahma accompanied 
him on his right side by a silver ladder, and Indra on his left by a gol- 
den one. But Hwen Thsang assigns the golden staircase to Buddha 
himself, and the silver staircase on the right to Brahma, and the crys- 
tal staircase on the left to Indra. The descent was accompanied by a 
multitude of Devas, who scattered showers of flowers on all sides as 
they sang the praises of Buddha. 
236. Such are the main points of this curious legend, . which is 
believed as firmly in Barma at the present day, as it was by Asoka 
2,100 years ago, or by the Chinese pilgrims of the 5th, 6th, and 7th : 
centuries of our era. According to Fa Hian, the three staircases disappear- — 
ed underground immediately after the descent, leaving only seven steps — 
visible. Apparently these seven steps must have existed in the time 
of Asoka, as he is reported to have been anxious to behold their 
foundations, and accordingly sent men to dig down to their base. But 
the diggers ‘‘ reached a yellow spring without being able to penetrate 
to the foundation.” The King, however, “ felt sensible of a great in- 
crease of his faith and veneration,” and therefore built a chapel over the 
three staircases, and upon the middle one erected a full length statue 
of Buddha 60 feet high. According to Hwen Thsang’s account, the 
three staircases still existed in his time, (A. D. 634), but were com- 
pletely sunk in the earth. On their foundations, however, the pious 
Kings of different countries had erected three staircases, similar to the 
first, of bricks and stones, ornamented with many precious things. 
The height of these staircases was about 70 feet. Over them there 
was a Vihdr containing statues of Buddha, Brahma, and Indra, who were 
represented leaning forward as if about to descend. The Barmese say — 
that the descent took place at the full moon of Thadingkyut, (October), 
and that the feet of the steps were at the gate of the city of Thing- 
ka-tha-na-go, or Singkasanagara. Hwen Thsang adds that the three 
staircases were placed in a line from north to south, with the descent 
facing the east, and that they stood within the walls of a great 
monastery. 
