Mediaeval Sinhalese Art c18.s1.53

c18.s1.53

120. "I give below a description of recumbent images. The recumbent image should be *Sariputra* made exactly in the attitude of a devotee.
121. "The image must be made without contracting the vital joints, [allowing them to be pressed on the throne], then only will it lead to all prosperity.
122. "Otherwise it will end in the destruction of the place as well as of wealth. The length of the [image-] house should be divided into sixteen parts.
123. "Two of these should be vacant at either end, and the remainder occupied by the reclining image. The breadth of the house should be divided into seven parts, three and a half of which should be occupied by the couch of the reclining image.
124. "The breadth of the recumbent image must be one *Brahma pada*, and half of a *preta pada*. . . . The couch must be within the *Brahma sutra* precincts of the house.*
125. "When the reclining image is two *angal* within the limits of the *Brahma sutra* it will lead to all increase of prosperity; if it is made to extend beyond the *Brahma sutra* it will destroy wealth and life.
126. "The *maddhya sutra* must be drawn from behind the ear, the side of the pendent of the ear, the navel and the centre of the private part, and the knees and between the feet.†
127. "The *parsva sutra* [must be drawn] from the [upper] side of the crown, by the side of the neck, below the elbow and the wrist, and over the middle finger and the ankle.
128. "The *mukha sutra* must be drawn from the middle of the crown, the middle of the forehead, the middle of the nose, the side of the breast and the side of the lower hip.
129. "The *vamsa sutra* [abdominal line] . . . [not clear].
131. "The space between the two nipples of the breasts is 11 *matra* [11 *angal*, cf. with the 13½ *angal* of v. 54, where the body is upright and not contracted]. . . .
133. ". . . The *netra sutra* [eye line] must be drawn from the side of the arm on which the head rests.
134. "The line must be drawn from the thumb by the side of the cheek, the neck and the pendent of the ear. The [under] armpit must be in a line with [i.e., immediately beneath] the beginning of the shoulder of the other arm.
136. "The height of the pillow is the same as that of the face. The full rounded face when complete with all its features is beautiful.
137. "The measurements of the standing, seated and reclining images of Buddha should be as above, moreover, the images should be illustrative of the perfections of Buddha.
138. "If the image is perfect it will lead to the increase of merit and prosperity, otherwise it will lead to the destruction of all wealth and length of days.
139. "The image of the Asura Rāhu‡ should be drawn in accordance with the position he occupied at the estimable feet [of the recumbent Buddha], covered with every ornament, holding flowers and garlands in his hands, bending in three places, and in every respect perfect. “The end of the measurement of images as heard by Sāriputra.” [Figure:] Part II. of Sāriputra ends here.