THE CLERGY. 79 



child, who is afterwards given over to the temple, 

 where he is taught his letters and the Buddhist 

 mysteries by the elder lamas. ^ In some of the most 

 important of these establishments, for instance at 

 Urga or Kumbum,^ special schools are built for the 

 purpose, and divided into faculties. On completing 

 his studies, the lama is attached to some temple, or 

 practises as a physician. 



Promotion to the highest ranks is effected by an 

 examination in the Buddhist books. The ranks of 

 the clergy are as follow : Kamba, Hehlung, Heh- 

 tsul, and Bandi — each having a distinctive dress-' 

 and station during prayer-time, and separate rules 

 for the regulation of their lives. The highest grade 

 is the Kambu or Kianbu, ordained directly by the 

 Kutukhtu, with the right of conferring ordination on 

 the lower ranks. The Kutukhtus are also obliged to 

 pass through the different degrees, but they reach 

 them sooner than ordinary mortals. 



The lamas discharge certain duties in the temple 

 according to their rank. The Tsiabartsi is the 

 sacristan ; the Ptarba, housekeeper ; Kesgui, eccle- 

 siastical superintendent ; Ujnzat, precentor ; Duntsi, 

 treasurer ; Sordji, superior or abbot. 



Besides these, several hundred (sometimes a 

 thousand or more) lamas are attached to every 



* Lamas unattached to a temple, but who live in yurtas, also take 

 pupils. 



"^ The temple of Kumbum is in the province of Kan-su, near Si-ning. 



^ The dress of the lamas is invariably yellow, with a red belt or 

 band over the left shoulder. At prayer-time, special yellow mantles 

 and tall caps are worn, differing in appearance according to their 

 rank. 



