________________
THE SAMAVASARANA
129
Grand Assembly. In the centre of each of these avenues was a peethikā (platform with an enclosure-like construction) on which stood its specific tree. There were four Statues of the worshipful Arhant on each peethikā, which attracted devas and men by their supreme lustre, and which the visitors worshipped with devotion. Towards the end of the wood, on its four sides, were four raised platforms on which devas were engaged in producing excellent music. The doors of the enclosures of these platforms were of pure silver, the walls being made from pure gold. On emerging from the wood the traveller came across a row of fluttering banners which floated from golden staffs. They bore ten kinds of marks, namely, a garland, a piece of cloth, a peacock, the lotus flower, a swan, an eagle, a lion, a bull, an elephant and the discus. There were 108 flags of each specific, mark in each direction, totalling 1080 of all kinds.on each side, and 4320 in all the four directions. Behind the row of flags, at a suitable distance was a wall made from pure silver, which had a silver gate in every direction. This was like the first rampart in all respects, and also had a theatre on each side of the gate way, on the inside. At a little distance from the theatres were again-"-placed two-Hüge Incense Pitchers that filled the atmosphere withi
F. 9