He looked round the little clean cell complacently . A low cushion gave him a seat , on which he had disposed himself in the cross-legged attitude of the Bodhisat emerging from meditation ; a black teak-wood table , not twenty inches high , set with copper tea-cups , was before him . In one corner stood a tiny altar , also of heavily carved teak , bearing a copper-gilt image of the seated Buddha and fronted by a lamp , an incense-holder , and a pair of copper flower-pots . ` The Keeper of the Images in the Wonder House acquired merit by giving me these a year since , ' he said , following Kim 's eye . ` When one is far from one 's own land such things carry remembrance ; and we must reverence the Lord for that He showed the Way . See ! ' He pointed to a curiously-built mound of coloured rice crowned with a fantastic metal ornament . ` When I was Abbot in my own place -- before I came to better knowledge I made that offering daily . It is the Sacrifice of the Universe to the Lord . Thus do we of Bhotiyal offer all the world daily to the Excellent Law . And I do it even now , though I know that the Excellent One is beyond all pinchings and pattings . ' He snuffed from his gourd . ` It is well done , Holy One , ' Kim murmured , sinking at ease on the cushions , very happy and rather tired . ` And also , ' the old man chuckled , ' I write pictures of the Wheel of Life . Three days to a picture . I was busied on it -- or it may be I shut my eyes a little -- when they brought word of thee . It is good to have thee here : I will show thee my art -- not for pride 's sake , but because thou must learn . The Sahibs have not all this world 's wisdom . ' He drew from under the table a sheet of strangely scented yellow Chinese paper , the brushes , and slab of Indian ink . In cleanest , severest outline he had traced the Great Wheel with its six spokes , whose centre is the conjoined Hog , Snake , and Dove -LRB- Ignorance , Anger , and Lust -RRB- , and whose compartments are all the Heavens and Hells , and all the chances of human life .
Men say that the XXXXX Himself first drew it with grains of rice upon dust , to teach His disciples the cause of things .
Abbot Bodhisat Buddha Kim Law daily days flower-pots pinchings teak-wood