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DECEMBER 1893.]
NOTES ON ANTIQUITIES IN RAMANNADESA.
361
Plates XVI. and XVIa. As the figures in these two Plates have unfortunately not been numbered, it is necessary to give index numbers bere, thus:
Plate XVI.
Plate XVIa
In Plate XVI. all the figares represent terra-cotta tablets from D'ammaba and Kògurs Figures (1), (4), (5) and (8) represent the Buddha as Zabubade, and Figs. (2), (6) and (7) shew him dressed in priestly costume. Figare (7) is interesting as showing in the original bad gilding, proved by the figare being now covered with verdigris.
Figure (3) shews one of three small tablets found in the Kògun Cave. I cannot explain it further than by pointing out that it shews & king seated on a throne with a standing female figure on either side of him and three seated Buddhas, or perhaps Buddha, Sangha and Dharma, over his head.
In Plate XVI, we have Fig. (1) the Buddha as Zabûbade and in Fig. (3) Zababada him. self kneeling to the Buddha after his defeat. In Fig. (4) we see a specimen of a "Shâu Baddha," with the right sole not exposed. All these are from Kogun, Figure (2) exhibits a fine plaster head of the Buddha canopied by the grotesqued head of Ananta. This is from the Farm Cave.
In Figs. (5) and (6) are compared two images in wood, gilt, of priests or disciples praying to the Buddha. Figure (5) is one of a modern set from Prome of the eight attitudes of prayer." Figure (6) is from Kogun and is clearly ancient in form.
Plates XVIII. and XIX. The fine situations of many pagodas and religious buildings in Burma has been often romarked. The same may be said of many of the cities of the Burmese : - Rangoon, Maulmain, Prome, Pagàn, Mandalay, Sagaing, Avà, Amarapura, are all placed in exceptionally fine situations. Even flat Pegu looks well from the river. The site of the great, but abortive, pagoda at Myingan, opposite Mandalay, is most striking.
Another prominent feature in pagoda building is the habit the Burmese have, owing to the increased merit gained thereby, of erecting them in difioult situations. The greater the difficolty, the greater the merit (kúbó). This is common to all Burma, and it may be said that most difficult and naturally inaccessible hille have pagodas on the top, access to which is often only to be had by climbing rickety bamboo ladders up dangerous precipices and over deep clefts in the rock. 88
In Plate XVIII. is given & well-known specimen of one of many similar pagodas in the Shwêgyin District, i.e., in the heart of Ramaññadêsa. It is only possible to reach it by means of ladders.
# This has been noticed by Clement Williame, Through Burmah to China, p. 64. Maloom, Travels, 1889, 60.
