1 82 MAN: PAST AND PRESENT. [CHAP. 



of turning the prayer-wheel from right to left as the red lamas do, 

 instead of from left to right as is the orthodox way. The common 

 Buddhist formula of six syllables om-ma-ni-pad-me-hum is also 

 replaced by one of seven syllables ma-tri-mon-tre-sa-la-dzun l . 

 Buddhism itself, introduced by Hindu missionaries, is more 



recent than is commonly supposed. Few conver- 

 an^Lamaism. sions were made before the 5th century of our era, 



and the first temple dates only from the year 698. 

 Reference is often made to the points of contact or "coincidences" 

 which have been observed between this system and that of the 

 Oriental and Latin Christian Churches. There is no question 

 of a common dogma, and the numerous resemblances are con- 

 cerned only with ritualistic details, such as the cross, the mitre, 

 dalmatica, and other distinctive vestments, choir singing, exor- 



cisms, the thurible, benedictions with outstretched 



Buddhist 



and Christian hand, celibacy, the rosary, fasts, processions, litanies, 



Ritualism. . . , , , , , 



spiritual retreats, holy water, scapulars or other 

 charms, prayer addressed to the saints, relics, pilgrimages, music 

 and bells at the service, monasticism ; this last being developed 

 to a far greater extent in Tibet than at any time in any Christian 

 land, Egypt not excepted. The lamas, representing the regular 

 clergy of the Roman Church, hold a monopoly of all " science," 

 letters, and arts. The block printing-presses are all kept in 

 the huge monasteries which cover the land, and from them are 

 consequently issued only orthodox works and treatises on magic. 

 Religion itself is little better than a system of magic, and the 

 sole aim of all worship, reduced to a mere mechanical system 

 of routine, is to baffle the machinations of the demons who at 

 every turn beset the path of the wayfarer through this " vale of 

 tears." 



For this purpose the prayer-wheels an ingenious contri- 



vance by which innumerable supplications, not less 

 whee e L efficacious because vicarious, may be offered up 



night and day to the powers of darkness are 



however, mentioned by Max Mu'ller and Burnouf, is figured at p. 767 and 

 elsewhere. 



1 Sarat-Chandra-Das, Journ. As. Soc. Bengal, 1881-2. 



