BODE GYAH. 
231 
CHAPTER XX. 
BODE GYAH. BUDDHIST TEMPLE. BUDDHISM. 
From Gyah we proceeded a few miles out of our 
direct route to Bode Gyah, where there is one of the 
most celebrated Buddhist temples to be found in 
Hindostan ; it is still an imposing structure, though 
the ravages of time are visible in several parts of it. 
The body of the building is a massy square, in the 
neighbourhood of which are alto-reliefs finely chi- 
selled; they are masterpieces of ancient oriental art. 
The anatomical proportions are such as show that those 
masters by whom they were executed had studied the 
human figure with no common attention. These 
sculptures have all the; reality of life in the attitude 
and action which they represent, having more grace 
than the Egyptian, and more action than the Greek, 
nor are they much inferior to the latter in beauty of 
proportion and vigour of outline. The tower of this 
temple rises from the body of the structure, covering 
the entire square, and gradually diminishing in its 
elevation until it terminates in a tall columnar top 
with a round projecting base. On the walls are rich 
masses of bass-relief, carved with consummate taste 
and skill. The entrance is through a dilapidated por- 
tico, to which you ascend by a broken flight of steps. 
