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34
NOTICE OF
in the order and nature of the presentations, the Ashtami Vidhána is as applicable to Calcutta as to Kathmandu; the only difference being in the object or objects addressed: in the present case, the principal person propitiated is AMOGHAPÁŠA, apparently the same with SWAYAMBHÚ NÁTHA; but prayers are made, and offerings are addressed to all the personages of the Bauddha Pantheon, and to a great number of the divinities of the Hindus, especially to the terrific forms of Siva and SAKTI, and to all the Bhútas, or spirits of ill, and the Yoginis and Dákinis, the perpetrators of all mischief. A few passages will substantiate the accuracy of these assertions.
In the hall where the ceremony is held various Mandalas', or portions are marked off and appropriated to the different objects of the rite, and a complete course of worship is addressed to each. The following is that directed for the Buddha Mandala. The directions are, in general, in Newárí, the texts and prayers to be repeated in Sanskrit.
Let the sacrificer touch the Buddha Manilala with his fore-finger', repeating: "The universal Tathugata, may all be propitious." He is then to address himself to the Durvú* (or holy grass which is placed in the
The Manilala is sometimes an imaginary circle on the body of the worshipper; but it is defined here to be made with various substances, according to the means of the performer of the rite, as with gold dust, or pounded gems, or stone. (See alsoWassiljew, 1.1.1,212.]
* [Dr. Ainslie, in bis "Materia Indica”, Vol. II, p. 27 f., gives a description of this beautiful grass and its properties.]
