A History of Fine Art in India and Ceylon, from the Earliest Times to the Present Day c7.60

c7.60

Brahmanical Hindus, having no use for *stūpas* and churches, did not erect buildings of those classes. Each Hindu goes to a temple on his own account, and makes his offering for himself, not 'for the welfare and happiness of all beings', as in the Buddhist formula. There may be a vast crowd round and in a Hindu temple, but there never is a congregation worshipping in unison. Hinduism knows no founder, and recognizes no dominating human personality like Gautama Buddha, or even Mahāvīra. The Hindu, although obliged to utilize the services of Brahmans for ceremonial purposes, deals with his gods directly, not through any prophet.