NO. 4 RELIGION IN SZECIIUAN PROVINCE GRAHAM 47 



high officials ride on horses, and there are musicians playing on native 

 instruments. The streets, homes, and shops are packed with spectators. 

 As the great {procession moves slowly along, people in the homes and 

 shojxs hurn incense, candles, and pajier money in worship of the deities, 

 and bow reverently to the gods and sometimes even to the actors who 

 impersonate the gods. 



Elaborate feasts are held in the temples for those who have helped 

 or contributed. A company of actors may be engaged; who for several 

 days give free theatricals for the hundreds or thousands who flock to 

 see and hear them. The expenses of the feasts and theatricals are 

 borne by the temples, many of which are highly endowed. 



There is a prominent social element in these festivals which should 

 not be overlooked. These are great occasions when one can meet his 

 friends and acquaintances, when he is released from the everyday 

 humdrum duties of life, and derives thrill, pleasure, and amusement 

 from the feasts, the procession and the theatricals. In other words, 

 there is the element of play. This is even more evident in the Tibetan 

 festivals which often include horseracing and other contests. 



The religious importance of these festivals is also great, They 

 arouse a sense of awe and admiration, so that the simple i)eople feel 

 that there is nothing so grand as their own religion and their own gods. 

 The festival takes advantage of crowd psycholog}% often teaches 

 religious history or religious ideals through the drama, and ties the 

 affections of the people firmly to the religion and to its gods, its priests, 

 and its temples. 



VII. DIVINATION, LUCKY DAYS, VOWS, PRAYER, 

 RELIGIOUS OFFERINGS, AND WORSHIP 



I. DIVINATION 



Divination is frequently resorted to in Szechuan, and the ways 

 of divining are numerous. 



One method is simply to consult a Buddhist or a Taoist priest. In 

 1925 there was civil war in the province between the numerous war- 

 lords. Before entering the war one of the generals consulted a Taoist 

 priest, while another obtained the opinion of an old Buddhist j^riest 

 who is considered an authority in occult matters. 



A way of divination commonly used in the temj)les is the yinyang 

 kua. A bamboo root is split into two halves in such a way that each 

 half has a flat side and a round side. These two pieces are the yinyang 

 kiia. In divining, both pieces are thrown on the tloor. If two round 

 sides turn up, it is unhIck^'. If both tlat ])iecc's turn up, it is lucky or 

 I 



