Ancient Mystic Oriental Masonry

313."In the Brahminical initiations of Hindustan, which are among the earliest that have been transmitted to us, and may almost be considered as the cradle of all the others of subsequent ages and various countries, the ceremonies were performed in vast caverns, the remains of some of which, at Salsette, Elephanta, and a few other places, will give the spectator but a very inadequate idea of the extent and splendor of these Ancient Indian lodges.

314."The interior of the cavern of initiation was lighted by innumerable lamps, and there sat in the East, the West, and the South the principal Hierophants, or explainers of the Mysteries, as the representatives of Brahma, Vishnu, and Siva. Now, Brahma was the supreme Deity of the Hindoos, borrowed or derived from the Sun-god of their Sabean ancestors, and Vishnu and Siva were but manifestations of his attributes. We learn from the Indian Pantheon that 'when the sun rises in the east, he is ^[158] Brahma; when he gains his meridian in the south, he is Silva; and when he sets in the west, he is Vishnu. "

315."Again, in the Zoroasteric Mysteries of Persia, the temple of initiation was circular, being made so as to represent the Universe: the sun in the east, with the surrounding zodiac, formed an indispensable part of the ceremony of the reception.

316."In the Egyptian Mysteries of Osiris, the same reference to the sun is contained, and Herodotus, who was himself an initiate, intimates that the ceremonies consisted in the representation of a Sun-god, who had been incarnate, that is, had appeared on earth, or rose, and who was at length put to death by Typhon, the symbol of darkness, typical of the sun's setting.

317." In the great Mysteries of Eleusis, which were celebrated at Athens, we learn from St. Chrysostom, as well as other authorities, that the temple of initiation was symbolic of the Universe, and we know that one of the officers represented the sun."*

318."In the East, as the pillar of Wisdom, this Deity was called Brahma; in the West, as the pillar of Strength, Vishnu; and in the South, as the pillar of Beauty, Siva, and hence, in the Indian initiations the representative of Brahma was seated in the East, that of Vishnu in the West and that of Siva in the South. A very remarkable coincidence with the practice of Ancient Masonry. "* *

^[159] 319. "The lodge continues throughout the degree to be presented to the initiated as a symbol of the world, and hence its covering is figuratively supposed to be the 'clouded canopy,' on which the host of stars is represented. The Mystical ladder which is here referred to as a symbol that was widely diffused among the religions of antiquity, where, as in Masonry, it was always supposed to consist of seven steps, because seven was a Sacred number. In some of the Ancient Mysteries the seven steps represented the seven planets and the Sun was the top-most. "*

320."The lodge as a representation of the world, is, of course, supposed to have no other roof than the heavens; and it would scarcely be necessary to enter into any discussion on the subject, were it not that another symbol — the theological ladder — is so intimately connected with it, that the one naturally suggests the other. Now, this Mystic ladder, which connects the ground floor of the lodge with its roof or covering, is another important and interesting link, which binds, with one common chain, the symbolism and rites of the Ancient Initiation.

321."This Mystical ladder, which in Masonry is referred to as 'the theological ladder, which Jacob in his vision saw, reaching from earth to heaven,' was widely dispersed among the religions of antiquity, where it was always supposed to consist of seven rounds or steps.