[246]See ‘Brāhmanism and Hindūism,’ p. 214.
[247]A good example of this tight-fitting robe is afforded by the ancient statue of the Buddha, mentioned at [p. 467, note].
[248]When Gautama renounced his family and caste, he doubtless discarded the cord, just as a true Sannyāsī is required to do ([p. 78]).
[249]In the Jaina statues, the lobes of the ears, so far as I have observed, always touch the shoulders.
[250]Some think that this represents the wheel of the Ćakra-vartī emperor, or the wheel of the law, or the cycle of causes, or the continual revolution of births, deaths, and re-births. Dr. Mitra maintains that a lotus, and not a wheel, is always intended, though the lotus is often so badly carved that it may pass for any circular ornament.
[251]Dr. Rajendralāla Mitra considers that curly locks were given to Gautama Buddha because the possession of curls is believed to be an auspicious sign. Some have actually inferred from the curl-like knobs, that Buddha was a negro!
[252]See Dr. Edkins’ ‘Chinese Buddhism’ (p. 256).
[253]See Lalita-vistara (Calc. ed.), pp. 402, 403, 449, ll. 6-14.
[254]See my remarks on the worship of serpents in ‘Brāhmanism and Hindūism,’ p. 319; and Fergusson’s great work, ‘Tree and Serpent Worship.’
[255]There is a striking parallel in a well-known picture by Bernardino Luini (of the Milan school) of ‘Christ disputing with the Doctors’ to be seen in our National Gallery.