Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v2.c12.s1.t2.38

v2.c12.s1.t2.38

Recreational activities of Double Seventh Festival were rich in Song Dynasty. A very important programme was held, which was named selling and playing Mohele. Mohele is also called as Mahoraga, and is a kind of clay doll. According to investigation of scholars, the name of this kind of doll came from Buddhism. Some people thought that it was related to Rahula, the son of Sakyamuni, and others thought that it evolved from the great black god Mahakala of Tantric Buddhism. In any case, it’s commonly believed that it was the product of Buddhist influence.