Essays Lectures on Religion of Hindu Vol 02

Author(s): H H Wilson
Publisher: Trubner and Company London

Page 12

NOTICE OF
appropriated by another, that it speedily becomes difficult to assign them to their genuine source. In like manner formula and ceremonies very soon become common property, and whatever may be the ruling principles, the popular practice easily adopts a variety of rites that are peculiar to different creeds. This is every where the case throughout Hindustan, and the sectaries of VISIIŃU often assimilate to those of Siva, whilst the worshippers of the female Principle are constantly identifiable with both. Nepal, evidently, constitutes no exception, and the worship of SIVA, and Tantra rites, are so widely blended with the practices and notions of the Buddhists, that an accurate appreciation of the latter is no longer derivable from any but original and authentic sources, or the ancient works of the Bhotiyas in which the pure and primitive doctrines are enshrined.
Of the number and character of those works which are the authorities of the Bauddhas of Nepal, the only description on which any reliance can be placed is contained in the preceding communication, from Mr. HODGSON, to whose active and intelligent zeal the Society is so largely indebted. It yet remains, however, to estimate ** the contents of the volumes he
* [Notices of the Languages, Literature, and Religion of the Bauddhas of Nepal and Bhot. As. Res. XVI, 109-19. Reprinted in the "Illustrations of the Literature and Religion of the Buddhists”. By B. H. Hodgson, Esq. Serampore: 1841, p. 1 19.]
** [On the results of the estimate since made compare Mr. Hodgson's "Quotations from original Sanskrit authorities”, in