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PLATE VIII. BUDDHIST TEMPLES NEAR BOLGODDE.

These Temples are distant about three miles from Pantura, on the other side of the ferry, the road winding through beautiful lanes, shaded with a variety of trees, being studded continually with cottages and gardens, and skirted by a thick jungle, in which the wild pineapple grows luxuriantly, but the fruit is small, and possesses scarcely any flavour without cultivation.

The immediate approach to these buildings is by a raised causeway carried across paddy fields in a state of irrigation, which is easily effected here, by leading out the waters of the neighbouring stream.

The Temple, properly so called, in Cinghalese Dewale, is situated (as the author has generally observed these structures to be) on the side of a hill, near the top; and below it are the preaching-house, built pagoda-like, and the dwellings of the priests, all beautifully shaded by noble trees, their dark green foliage contrasting finely with the whitewashed walls and red-tiled roofs. The top of the hill affords a splendid view of the Lake of Bolgodde, which washes its base, the shores of which are covered with forests as far as the eye can reach.

The interior of this Temple is much like that of the generality of others, except that the great image of Buddhu is here seated cross-legged, instead of being in a recumbent position, as it usually is; thus the description of one may serve for all. A passage runs all round the interior, the walls of which, and sometimes the ceiling, are covered with paintings representing divers mythological histories and traditions connected with the religion of Buddhu, and others shewing the punishments attending vice, and the rewards of virtue. The punishment of adultery is depicted by a tree covered with long and sharp thorns, up which the offenders, in a state of nudity, are forced to climb by demons constantly goading them with sharp spears, typical of their lusts, but unable to reach each other, in spite of all their efforts. Their bodies are bleeding, and pierced through and through by the thorns! There is also a representation of hell, where the victims are surrounded by flames, and, in addition, undergoing all sorts of torture from demons armed with three-pronged pitchforks, swords, and hatchets.

The entrance to the inner rooms, the inmost of which is the sanctum sanctorum, or penetralia, is kept constantly locked, and is guarded by gigantic figures and horrid monsters in relief against the wall. In the inmost room is a gigantic figure of Buddhu, here in a sitting, but generally in a recumbent posture, surrounded by rays of glory. Two large brass lamps, of a candelabra form, containing numerous lights, in some instances as many as fifty, are kept constantly burning in front of the image, which is screened by a large curtain of dark yellow cloth (their sacred colour), slowly and mysteriously withdrawn on the approach of worshippers or favoured visitors.

The size and execution of these figures, the painting, and the high varnish imparted to them, are wonderful for a people like the Cinghalese, and astonish the beholder. They are formed of a very fine clay, which takes the paint when quite dry, a thick varnish being superadded.

Offerings, consisting generally of the most beautiful flowers, though frequently of a more valuable kind, are deposited by the votaries at the shrine, and on tables in the other rooms, and in the porch or entrance; the flowers are renewed daily by the devotees. Here, as in every other instance, the author experienced the greatest civility from the officiating priests, who opened the temple without difficulty, and were most communicative in explaining the paintings, and everything connected with their religious ceremonies, which his much regretted friend, the late Thomas Oswin, Esq., of the Ceylon civil service, most kindly interpreted to him.

The following extract, touching the religion of Buddhu, is taken from Cordiner's " History of Ceylon," where it is marked with inverted commas, though he does not give his authority.

" The Cinghalese believe that Buddhu descended from the celestial regions, that he was miraculously conceived and born, and appeared upon earth as an instructor of religion and virtue, and as a mediator between God and man.

" Before (say they) he quitted the empyreum, four uncommon symptoms about his person warned him of his approaching change. The garment which he wore, and which had hitherto been spotless, appeared to be sullied; his garland of perpetually blooming flowers began to fade; the brightness of his visage became dim; a profuse perspiration issued from all his pores; and he vanished from the heavens, as a candle is extinguished by the wind.

" A queen, in whose womb the miraculous conception took place, dreamed an extraordinary dream, which she related to her king. He, anxious to obtain an interpretation, called together a large assembly of Brahmans, who unanimously declared that one of the celestial order had left the empyreal regions, and that the child to be born of the queen should appear a new deity amongst men.

" On the day on which he was conceived, the earth was astonished with a blaze of wonders:- Ten thousand worlds trembled, and the brightness of light shone round about them. Ten thousand blind received sight. Ten thousand dumb spake. Ten thousand deaf heard. The lame began to walk. All the beasts and birds that were confined were restored to liberty. The flames of hell, which blazed through thirteen hundred and sixty thousand worlds were completely extinguished. The persons who suffered torments in these flames were relieved from pain, and felt as if they were plunged into a refreshing stream. The hungry were fed. The beasts and birds that formerly devoured each other, played together as friends. The sick were cured of their diseases. The hatred of men was turned into love and friendship. The horses neighed. The elephants and lions uttered sounds of joy. The robes of the gods and Brahmans fell from their shoulders. Six splendid colours beamed towards different points. The wind wafted odours. Rain fell in ten thousand worlds. The fountains were supplied with water. All places of the earth were washed. The fowls of the air descended, and walked upon the earth without fear. The rivers overflowed their banks. The forty thousand seas of the ten thousand worlds became smooth as a lake, and wholesome to drink as a running brook; and flowers began to spring and bloom on their borders. The trees of every kind began to put forth their blossoms, which filled the air with their fragrance, and fell afterwards like a shower of rain upon the earth.

" After nine months and fifteen days, the queen was seized with the pains of labour whilst walking in a garden; and reclining under a tree, called Halgoha, covered with blossoms, she stretched out her hand to lay hold of one of the branches, and the branch stooped down to meet her, and the prince was born without spot or blemish.

" Buddhu is said to have visited the earth three times. On his first coming, the Island (Ceylon) was inhabited by devils, whom he drove away. On the second, he left the impression of his foot on Adam's Peak. The third time he dedicated sixteen different places for the purpose of divine worship: all but two are still standing."

Sir William Jones fixes the time or era of Buddhu-the ninth great incarnation of Vishnu - in the year 1014 before Christ, or at this period (A.D. 1844) 2858 years ago.

By other authorities the first year of Sakka is said to correspond with 621 of Buddhu, and that date with the year 78 of the Christian era, which would make the former only 543 years antecedent to the latter.

The religion of Brahma prevailed all over Ceylon before the introduction of that of Buddhu.

The Buddhists believe in the existence of one supreme God, and in a future state of rewards and punishments.

Neither they, nor the Hindoos or Gentoos, make any image of the supreme Creator. Statues of Vishnu and Shiva always stand near the large image of Buddhu in the temples, which are chiefly used for depositing offerings - this ceremony forming an essential part of their religion. A preaching-house, commonly of a pagoda form, is attached to every temple, for the ordinary purposes of devotion.

The followers of Buddhu are prohibited, by their religion, from killing any animal whatsoever, and from drinking any liquor, or swallowing any drug of an intoxicating quality. It appears, however, that even the priests will eat lawful meat killed by other people.

Their religious rites are performed with more privacy, and less splendour, than those of the Hindoos. The Maha-villa ganga, which has its source in the range of Adam's Peak, is held in the same veneration by the Buddhists as the Ganges is by the Hindoos and Gentoos, and its water is considered effectual in washing away sin. The Ficus Religiosa, called by the natives Bogaha, or tree of Buddhu, a species of banyan, is also regarded with religious superstition by his followers, who say that Buddhu was particularly fond of reclining under its shade : one of these trees is planted close to every temple.

No particular caste or tribe is dedicated to the priesthood. The priests are not permitted to marry or touch women, or to perform any kind of work, except painting in the temples. They may lay down their order when they please, which they sometimes, though very rarely indeed, do, in order to get married. On such occasions the following ceremony is undergone. Their garment is taken off and thrown into a river, in which they also immerse themselves, and come out laymen. Their dress consists of a cloth of a bright yellow colour and ample dimensions, which is wrapped round their bodies, hanging down to the ankles, the end being thrown twice over the left shoulder, plaidwise, leaving the right and both arms bare.

Their heads are close shaved and uncovered, and when they go abroad they are attended by a man or boy shading them with a talipot-leaf, or umbrella: they generally carry in their hand a round fan with a short handle.

The priests are held in great honour and respect by the people, and are exempt from all taxes and imposts. They are supported by the voluntary contributions of their flocks. They are very numerous; it is said that they number 2,000 in the province of Matura alone, which, however, is by far the most fertile of the maritime districts.

The worship of Buddhu prevails also throughout the Burmese empire and in China; the inhabitants of the former, moreover, are said to assert that they derived their religion from Ceylon.