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RELIGIOUS ART AND SYMBOLISM
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cheons, also of copper-gilt, on each of which are riveted five metal figures of the Dyani Buddhas. Round the base of the hemisphere, and built partly into its plinth, are five large shrines, four of them facing the cardinal points of the compass. They are plated with copper-gilt, and each contains a metal figure of a Buddha rather larger than life-size. The whole design is, of course, supremely emblematic, and fully bears out the axiom that those people who are endowed with artistic sense tend to clothe their religion with symbolism. The cone or pyramid surmounting the dome is divided into thirteen tiers, and is typical of the thirteen Budhisatwa heavens of Buddhist cosmography. Above this is a finial in the form of an umbrella, the whole of which represents the highest heaven, or that of Adi Buddha. The five spokes of the umbrella refer to the abodes of the five Dharma Buddhas, while the great eyes on the toran signify omniscience.

Such is a bald description of this wonderful monument, but no account can do justice to the wealth of art, colour, and Oriental feeling with which this temple is surounded,