Directory_and_Chronicle_1845 — Page 412

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are many minor temples, some of them rich and spacious, all dedicat- ed to gods and demi-gods.

We will now turn to other classes of religious establishments, the monasteries, nunneries, etc. The religious houses or temples of the Budhist priests are commonly called sz', #, "a place measured and subject to fixed laws; chambers for officers at court; the first priest of Budha, invited from `India to China, was lodged in one of of these, and hence the Budhistic temples have been so called.' Their nunneries are called ngán, literally meaning

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a small

thached cottage." The kwán,, to look, to observe, to manifest, is the common name of those temples that belong to the Táu sect, the rationalists of China. So far as we have seen, all these three classes of religious house and the habits and manners of their in- mates-Budhists, Tauists and Nuns-are quite the same in all parts of the empire, so that what is true of either class in one quarter, will be found universally applicable to all of that class, from Mán- chú to Háinán, from the yellow sea to Thibet.

The Budhists, taking them all in all, as a class, are the most beg- garly, the most ignorant, the most wicked, the most devout, the most idle, and the most popular. Many of their establishments are richly endowed, but in case of need all the priests can beg, and not a few live solely as mendicants. The majority of them know no- thing more of letters, than enough to enable them to read their prayers. Generally they have the reputation of being loose in morals, addicted to the grossest vices. The reigning Mánchú family has the reputation of being partial to Budhism.

The priests of the Táu sect enjoyed special favor of the court during the reign of the Sung dynasty, its first sovereign feigning descent from the founder of this sect. These priests are often seen here in the capacity of fortune-tellers, quack doctors, and some. times acting as private tutors; but are ever ready to perform the appropriate duties of their profession. Their profession, and their property passes down from father to son, the children following in the footsteps of their fathers.

The nunneries of Shanghái, if no very doubtful reports can be credited, are very sinks of pollution, being even more vile than the monasteries; the members of these sisterhoods, dull-visaged and stupid, with shaved heads, and gray attire, may be seen waddling through the streets, sometimes alone, and sometimes two or three in

a company.