The diary of Edmund Heller, October 9, 1917-January 12, 1918 : covering his return trip from the First Asiatic Expedition led by Roy Chapman Andrews of the American Museum of Natural History
Page 187
Image from the Biodiversity Heritage Library. Contributed by American Museum of Natural History Library. | www.biodiversitylibrary.org
Transcription
10 feet immense length Resting on saw-horses Maybe 10 and 20. Some 4 small boys were beating large drums + the old monks were singing + clapping cymbals, The din was terrific from this large battery + the result discordant. One of the Temples nearby is famous for a giant standing Buddha some 80 feet high, In his left a Lama offers you a lighted taper with which to light a candle sealed to Buddha + which will give you good fortune. In another Temple there shown a series of Obscene Buddhas standing over prostrate women which and in the act of copulating with various animals such as foxes, pigs, dogs etc. These figures are depicted in silk garments which are reserved for men only.