THE EFINS OF BOEO BUDUE IN JAVA. 219 



with the same violent action pushed them down again. This un- 

 expected exhibition made a strong impression upon Phralaong ; 

 his heart was set, if possible, freer from the ties of concupiscence, 

 or rather was confirmed in his contempt for all worldly pleasures. 

 It appeared to him that his magnificent apartment was filled with 

 loathsome carcases. The seats of passions — those of Rupa, and 

 those of Arupa, that is to say, of the whole world — seemed to his 

 eyes like a house that is a prey to the devouring flames. At the 

 same time his ardent desires for the profession of Eahan " (an 

 ascetic life) " were increasing with an uncontrollable energy. ' On 

 this clay, at this very moment,' said he with unshaken firmness, ' I 

 will retire into a solitary place.' " 



I think everybody who examines the engraving carefully will 

 admit that it is this particular incident in the history of the young 

 prince which the artist intended to pourtray. 



Plate LXXIX. Siddhaetha still in the palace, but about to 

 escape on the horse that is standing ready, and resisting the en- 

 treaties of Chanua, his charioteer, who tries to persuade him to 

 change his resolution. 



Plate LXXX. 129. The escape. 

 Plate LXXXI. 131. The end of the night-ride. 

 Plate LXXXII. 133. Siddhaetha taking off his ornaments 

 and giving them to Chanka to carry back to Kapila-vastu and 

 cutting off his long hair with his sword. (See photograph.) 



If we accept M. "Wilsekt's theory, we shall have to get over some 

 difficulties. The selected plates may be fairly interpreted in the 

 way suggested. But they are only a few among the great many 

 to which the legend, as it is known, supplies no interpretation ; and 

 one cannot help being surprised to find that the lower line of 

 sculptures has no relation, so far as has been ascertained, to the 

 upper line. As they are represented in the plates they appear to be 

 parts of the same work, but no connecting thread between the two 

 series has yet been discovered. 



However, much might probably yet be learned by careful 

 study, both of the plates and of the various forms of the 

 Buddhistic legend. And I think it most likely that such study 

 will tend to support M. AVilsen's opinion. Certainly one rises, 

 from a first perusal of the book, convinced that Boro Budur is what 



