84 JOURNAL R. A. g. (ceylon). [Vol. VII., Pt. It. 



the study amongst our Members of the question, whether in our 

 ancient records there is any account showing that the five colours 

 were applied separately to the different parts of the Stupa or Da- 

 goba, which I suggest they may symbolise. Thus, whether the 

 rectangular case was painted red, the dome was painted blue, &c. 



It is quite possible the colouring of a Stupa may have been so 

 arranged and a record preserved thereof. 



To recapitulate. I suggest these " seven precious things" are the 

 symbol of a cult which taught that the five elements combined with 

 light (sun and moou) are the origin of all things and source of creation. 

 In detail we may read the symbol that by action of (light causing) 

 fire f heat) on water resting on earth proceeds air penetrated by the 

 apex of the triangle of fire (heat), above which rests ether from which 

 the triangle fire radiates but into ivhich it does not enter ; thus giving 

 us in ether, or the firmament above our atmosphere, combined with 

 sun and moon, or light, the creative power which shaped the earth 

 into its four other distinct elements. Bearing this in mind, a special 

 interest will follow the work of local students, who will take the 

 trouble to record the exact shape of the various Stupas or Dago- 

 bas still existent, or adequately described in aucient records, as they 

 gradually diverged from the primitive type. 



My view of the original Buddhist symbolised theory of creation, 

 here suggested, accounts for the early Buddhist writers classing 

 the theory of creation of the contemporary sect they call a strong- 

 mouth" as an heresy. This sect, existing in and established 

 before the lifetime of Gautama Buddha, taught that ether begat air, 

 air begat fire — fire, heat — heat, water — water, ice — and the ice solidi- 

 fied begat earth — and earth begat five kinds of grain, which produce 

 life, which when ended returns to ether. 



It will be seen then " the heresy" would consist in the interpola- 

 tion of a glacial period in the earth's stage of development into dry 

 laud, and the mediation of vegetation derived from land ; thus the 

 meauing veiled in the seven precious things of early Buddhism is 

 closely akin — but brings in the action of sun and moon, and omits 

 glacial and vegetable influence on creation. 



