78 Description of a Mystic Play. [No. 2, 



mouth), all these instruments concurring to make one loud noise, the 

 performers one after the other sounding his hell, hand-drum, or other 

 instrument, and hlowing the air thrice with his face, mentally* sum- 

 mons the noxious enemyf as nobody can do so in reality (dancing). 



The time having arrived to put down the venomous (enemy), 

 with dancing, a circle is formed and each performer must successively 

 hit him with his instrument ; J then follow different steps and words of 

 incantation and exorcism. 



Three signals with the cymbals having been made two atsaeas,§ 

 coming out of the large door of the monastery, post themselves on 

 either side of it, with one arm a kimbo, and blow their hauibois 

 twice gently, twice vehemently, and then two Grylongs|| and one terrible 

 person, holding a skull, having performed a series of steps, finally 

 make the sign of the Trident and retire again. After them appear the 

 persons of the burial-ground (ghouls), and after performing many 

 gestures with their arms, retire. 



This concludes the 10th day's act. 



On the 11th day of the same month, in the first act, — here follows 

 what I am unable to explain ; in the second act, adoration is paid to 

 the king ;^[ in the third act, mustard seed is thrown on the enemy 

 after some singing and dancing, and the ceremony of fixing the nail is 

 performed,** and hitting the arms, legs and heart of the figure. Noav 



* Performing tilings mentally when circumstances will not allow of it in 

 reality, is permitted to a great extent in the Buddhist religion, e. g. when a 

 person dies without riches, the family may imagine themselves to offer gold, 

 precious stones, &c, to any extent to Buddha, who will condescend to take it, 

 as if it were really given. Living Lhamas do cot let their flocks off quite so 

 easily. 



f Any being, man or demon, adversary to the religion or to the country, &c. 



J. A small figure moulded iu dough, representing that enemy, or venomous 

 or noxious person, lies on the ground in a triangular enclosure, and each of the 

 dancers has to hit it, with the sword dagger, or other arms or emblem he may 

 carry. 



§ Atsara is derived from the Sanscrit acharya teacher, spiritual guide j 

 but accoi'ding to what I was told, it is now rather used like Yogi or holy 

 mendicant, a Hindoo faqir. Besides this, it must also denote a sort of demon 

 or spirit, as I have met with the word in this signification in books ; I am not 

 quite sure which it is here. 



|| Gylong, a degree of the Lhama priesthood. 



% No name is given in the text, it was said to be some deity. (Thlogan 



PUDMA JUNGNAS ?) 



** A nail or peg, in shape of a dagger and often beautifully ornamented, 

 is a magic instrument, occurring very frequently in books, as an emblem of 

 deities, as well as used in exorcisms, &c. often by a gesture of the hand 

 symbolizing its use. By its use, demons are supposed to be bound and enemies 

 killed. 



