Studies in the Origins of Buddhism c13.199

c13.199

“Symbolism”, Vidya, and Upasana.—It appears that alongside the growth of the practice of Agnicayana there was a great vogue of symbolic interpretation.¹⁶⁴ This was in fact the only way left to the priests along which they could offer an at least seemingly rational explanation of the ritual. It proved, however, to be a suicidal step, for, if the rite was really symbolical, was not knowledge of greater account than outward acts? If one grasped the idea behind a sacrificial act, where was the