1835.] Island of Rambree on the Arracan Coast. 29 



I had made up my mind to put up at the thanna of Ladong, so 

 took the nearest direction to it. Tne path lay at the foot of a 

 range of sandstone hills, to the left of the plains ; on the summit 

 of this range stood a temple dedicated to Gautama, and in front of 

 it the long pole usually erected near such places of worship. The 

 character of the rock was such as had been hitherto observed, 

 with this exception, that a few rolled pieces of chert and stalactites 

 were visible in a few places, strewed upon the surface. I was 

 fortunate enough to shoot a very beautiful species of green pigeon 

 in these hills : it was as large as the wood-pigeon of Europe, and had a 

 superb plumage ; the colour of the head, back, and tail were of a 

 very dark-green, while the wings and belly presented a bright azure 

 colour. 



I had not proceeded far on my way towards the thanna, when 

 my attention was roused by the sound of music and the report of 

 fire-arms. Entering upon the plain, I perceived a multitude of 

 people apparently met on some extraordinary occasion. I drew near, 

 and learned that they had assembled to perform the funeral rite of a 

 Phoongree, who had lately died. These high priests of Buddha deno- 

 minated Phoongrees, are common in Arracan, and much revered by the 

 laity ; they are never known to interfere in the domestic affairs of the 

 people, or exercise that spiritual dominion so generally usurped bv 

 the ambitious priesthood of other countries. Confining themselves en- 

 tirely to the exercise of their religious duties, they are seldom seen 

 beyond the precincts of the Kloum; unless it be to make their morning 

 rounds through the neighbouring villages, accompanied by the boys, to 

 whose keeping are committed the voluntary contributions of the inha- 

 bitants. It is worthy of remark that these daily excursions are made 

 not so much for the purpose of obtaining supplies for the inmates of 

 the monastery, as to gratify the wishes of the villagers, who are desir- 

 ous of enjoying this opportunity of testifying their respect and attach- 

 ment for the ministers of their religion. The discipline of the Phoon- 

 grees is extremely rigid, and not unlike that preserved in the monastic 

 sects of Europe. To a life of celibacy is added the injunction of not 

 holding any communion whatever with the female sex; and so strictly 

 is this precept adhered to, that a Phoongree will neither converse 

 with a female, or receive from her hands the offering she may wish to 

 present to him. The dress of the Phoongree is confined to an orange - 

 coloured mantle, which extends from the shoulders to some little dis- 

 tance below the knee ; his head is closely shaved, and always uncover- 

 ed. He sleeps in the Kioum, upon a mat, with no other covering than 

 that afforded by his mantle ; and his diet is of the simplest kind, one 



