[No. 3, 
228 A. M. Broadley — The Buddhistic Remains of Bihar. 
instances, counted as many as sixteen or twenty umbrellas, arranged one 
above the other. The chaityas vary in height from four inches to two feet. 
I have about twenty-five distinct varieties in my own collection. Buddhism 
has now-a-days disappeared even in tradition from the minds and recollec- 
tion of the people of BiMr, and the dedicatory chaityas of the pious followers 
of Tath&gata are commonly supposed to be nothing else than a different 
form of the sacred linga of the Hindus. 
The question of stupas is thus treated by Bishop Bigandet.* ‘ The re- 
ligious edifices that arc to be met with, in all parts of Burmah, deserve a 
particular notice. They are called ‘ dzedis’ in all the Buddhist writings of 
the Burmese ; but the people generally mention them by the appellation of 
Payas or Phras, which, in this instance, is merely an honorific title of a reli- 
gious character. 
1 Dzedis, in the earliest days of Buddhism, were sacred tumuli, raised 
upon a shrine, wherein relics of Buddha had been deposited. These struc- 
tures were as so many lofty witnesses, bearing evidence to the presence of 
a sacred and precious object, intended to revive in the memory of the faitli- 
fvd the remembrance of Buddha, and foster in their hearts tender feelings 
of devotion and a glowing fervour for his religion. 
‘ From the perusal of this legend, it seems that dzedis were likewise 
erected on the tombs of individuals, who, during their lifetime, had obtained 
great distinction by their virtues and spiritual attainments among the mem- 
bers of the assembly. Buddha himself ordered that a monument should be 
built over the shrine containing the relics of the two great disciples, Thari- 
putra and Mankalan. In Burmah no dzedis of great dimensions and pro- 
portions have ever been erected on the ashes of distinguished phoungies. 
In some parts, however, particularly in the upper country, there may be 
seen here and there some small dzedis a few feet high, erected on the spot 
where have been deposited the remains of somo saintly personage. These 
monuments are little noticed by the people, though on certain occasions, a 
few offerings of flowers, tapers, &c., are made around and in front of them. 
The same kind of religious edifices have been built sometimes also, to be- 
come a receptacle of the Pitagat, or collection of the holy scriptures. One 
of the finest temples of Ceylon was devoted to that purpose. There was also 
one in the ancient city of Ava, but I am not aware that there is any of this 
kind at Amarapiira. 
‘ Finally, dzedis have been erected for the sole purpose of harbour- 
ing statues of Gaudama ; but there is every reason to believe that this 
practice has gained ground in subsequent ages. When a fervent Buddhist, 
impelled by the desire of satisfying the cravings of his piety and devo- 
* Life or Legend of the Buddha of the Burmese, p. 141. 
