CHAPTER I.
A N C IEN T R ELIG IO N OF T H E IN D IA N ISLA N D ER S.
Antiquities and ancient7 religion in a rude state o f society
synonymous Architectural remains.—Groups of Temples
o f hewn stone, exemplified in those o f Brambanan— Single
Temples o f hewn stone o f great size, exemplified in that of
Boro Budor— Temples o f brick and mortar— Rude Temples
o f hewn stone exemplified in those of Sukuh and K'dt-
to Character o f the workmanship and architecture— Mythological
character o f the sculptures and decorations—
Statues and images— Ancient inscriptions on stone— An
ancient manuscript— Conjectures respecting the ancient
Hinduism of the Islanders drawn from all these different
monuments— The first Hinduism o f Java, an example of
genuine Buddhism— A barbarous form o f Hinduism prevailed
m latter times—possibly the worship o f Siwa of the
Lmga and Yoni— From whence Hinduism was introduced
among the Indian Islanders— Religion and Superstitions o f
the Indian Islanders before the introduction o f Hinduism__
Character o f Hinduism as modified by the Local Superstitions
of the country.
A n account of the antiquities of Java is also an
account of its ancient religion, for every ancient
monument on the island has been dedicated to
the favourite subject of superstition, and hardly a