lands assigned to them for their support. In this station-, as chief of a
flock, thé superintendent is styled Lama.
Those who enter the religious order, aTe enjoined sobriety, forego
the society of women, and confine themselves to the austere practices
of the cloister. Of nunneries, as well as monasteries, the number is
Considerable; and the strictest laws exist, to prevent any woman even
from, accidentally passing a night within the limits of the one, or a
man within those Of the other. Indeed there appears to be a regulation
among them, most completely framed to obviate abuse, and establish
respect towards the sacred orders of both sexes.
The nation is divided into two distinct and separate classes, those
who carry on the business of the world, and those who hold intercourse
with heaven. No interference of the laity, ever interrupts the
regulated duties of the clergy. The latter, by mutual compact, take
charge of all their spiritual concerns; and the former, by their labours,
enrich and populate the state.
I was one day called to the window by a sudden and loud crash of
instrumental and vocal music, which struck up at once, at no great
distance from my apartments. I soon saw a prodigious crowd advance,
and turn into an avenue of the monastery, whether or not for
die purpose of acquiring any addition to their party I cannot pronounce
; but presently they appeared again, and I observed a most
motley group, composed of a very numerous concourse of spectators,
as well as a large party of Gy longs, who, as I was told, were engaged
in the celebration of some religious festival.
A considerable number of priests advanced by files of two and two,
led by a Lama, having' a wand in one .hand, and in tlfe other a casket
©r brazier of incense, suspended by three metallic chains from the end
of a long staff, which emitted a thick smoke a^'tbe^procession. moved
along;
A powerful band of their most noisy instruments immediately followed.
First were ten performers J^ith huge trumpets,, which they
sounded, resting one end upon the ground; next fqilbWèd twenty men
with large tabors-, assort pfdramfabcrut three feet in diamétfer, fixed by
JÉ|£ side upon a pedestal; and beaten by elastic,,curved iron:
•then came twenty men with cymbals, and two --witöfi^èea shell (buc-
eirum), here termed chaunk
Having entered the móst spacious and open street, they began to
arrange themselves in Order. The trumpets took- their station upon
the right; next them thé dhaunks, and then the tabors; the cymbals
were in front; The Lama stood ‘before the whole band, appearing,
With his Wand, to mark the rime, and give them words* which all, except
the instrumental performers, chanted to thp Anisic. I observed,
that the performance of this ceremony, continued for near half an hour,
when they formed their line again,arid bent their corn«®, ppsing by.
the dwelling- of Tessaling Lama, a superior of the religious order,
towards the extreme limits of the monastery upon the north east.
Here stood a lofty and broad, but shallow edifice, styled Kugopea,
filled, as I was informed, with portraits, of the sovereign Lamas, and
with other sacred subjects appertaining to their mythology ; and sd-
temnly dedicated to the festive celebration of some my&fe- rites of their
religion. . aft# a short pause* | É | grpe^ssjon moved