eT eer Se eee ee Le ae ieee. | mele. ru) iene | 
1923. ] An Essay on the History of Newar Culture. 46% 
ants of the Buddhist monks who were compelled to break 
their vow of celibacy and live as householders. They still live 
in the Viharas or convents, although with their wives and 
children. 
Theoretically, a celibate Bandya holds the highest rank 
of all, but in practice, recluses are rare and the family man, 
the priestly Vajra Acharya, is paid the highest respect. A 
trace of the ancient monastic life may be said to have survived 
in the rule about initiation to the duties of Vajra Acharya 
before marriage, or in practice, before fatherhood. Beneath 
the Vajra Acharya is a second rank of inferior priests mainly 
assistants to the Vajra Acharya in a menial capacity in the 
esoteric worship. They are called Bhikshus, and are heredi- 
tary gold and silversmiths. 
stone, wood or metal, and these do not constitute any bar to 
intermarriage or commensality. They can accept food from 
Banras and also admit a man of this group to theirs but the 
converse does not hold. : 
The third group includes the bulk of the people. The 
Jyapoo, who stand at its head are mainly cultivators and 
constitute at least half the population of Nepal.' Besides the 
agriculturists, the Jyapoos have several sections (not sub- 
castes) following different occupations, the most important of 
which is perhaps that of the Kumhals or potters. The other 
members of the third group follow carpentry, oilpressing, and 
other occupations. This group of Newars is, however, largely 
Hinduised and rapidly becoming more so. — 
Three important occupations for which there are definite 
castes of ancient origin, in India, are lacking in Newar society . 
These are the physicians, the weavers and the liquor distillers. 
eciantorecnnntinns nite cae 


! Oldfield, H. A.: Sketches from Nepal, p. 183, London 1880. 
