/TS LARES AND PENATES. 71 



shape common to all Buddhist places of worship, 

 the sides facing- the four cardinal points ; the entrance 

 is by a triple gate on the south, opposite to which is 

 a stone platform ascended by a flight of steps. The 

 sloping roof is covered with sheets of copper gilt, 

 adorned with dragons at the corners. 



A copper-gilt statue (fourteen feet high) of Sakya- 

 muni, i.e. Buddha, occupies a conspicuous place in the 

 interior. The god is represented seated ; before him 

 a lamp is always burning, and pinchbeck vessels 

 containing water, rice, and barley-meal stand near. 



Aloncj three sides are rano^ed on shelves a thou- 



о о 



sand lesser deities from one to two feet high, the 

 attitudes of some of which are peculiarly grotesque. 



All these idols were made at Dolon-nor by order 

 of the Abbot Djandj'i, and brought to Ala-shan, 

 whence they were conveyed to Chobsen at the cost 

 of the prince. 



A gallery runs round the four sides of the court- 

 yard, 100 paces each way, covered with rude paint- 

 ings illustrating the exploits of gods and heroes, a 

 strange medley of serpents, devils, and monsters ; 

 here too, at intervals of seven feet along the balus- 

 trade, are placed small iron urns, to contain the 

 prayers, written on slips of paper, of the devout 

 suppliants who daily attend the sacred edifice. 



At the time of our visit 150 lamas and one 

 Gigen resided at Chobsen. The cost of maintenance 

 is defrayed by the abbot and by the voluntary 

 contributions of pilgrims who are entertained on 

 festivals with tea, milk, and roasted barley or dzamba. 



