E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Boar’s Flesh.
Buddha died from a meal of dried boar’s flesh. Mr. Sinnett
tells us that the “boar” referred to was the boar avatar of Vishnu, and that “dried boar’s flesh” means esoteric knowledge prepared for popular use. None but Buddha himself must take the responsibility of giving out occult secrets, and he died while so occupied, i.e. in preparing for the general esoteric knowledge. The protreptics of Jamblicus are examples of similar interpretations. (See Nineteenth Century, June, 1893, p. 1021.)
