8o MONASTICISM. 



temple, who do nothing but pray, subsisting on 

 the abns of the faithful. Some have never been 

 sent to school by their parents, and are, therefore, 

 illiterate, but they wear the same red robes as the 

 others, and bear the title of their office, which is 

 considered honourable. 



All lamas must be celibates, an abnormal state, 

 which gives rise to every kind of immorality. 



Women above a certain age may enter this pro- 

 fession, for which they are regularly ordained. Their 

 heads are shaved, they are compelled to swear the 

 observance of a strict life, and have the privilege of 

 wearing yellow, like the lamas. They are often met 

 with among aged widows, and are called shab- 

 gantsa. 



Lamaism is the most frightful curse of the 

 country, because it attracts the best part of the male 

 population, preys like a parasite on the remainder, 

 and, by its unbounded influence, deprives the people 

 of the power of rising from the depths of ignorance 

 into which they are plunged. 



But although this religion has taken so strong a 

 hold on them, superstitions are equally prevalent. 

 Evil spirits and witchcraft beset the Mongol's path. 

 Every unfavourable phenomenon of nature is ascribed 

 to the wicked spirit ; every sickness is caused by 

 him. Their everyday lives are full of superstitious 

 observances. Thus, they will not give or sell milk 

 in cloudy weather or after sunset, lest their cattle 

 should die ; it is considered unlucky to sit in the 

 entrance of the yurta, or to eat seated on the heels, 



