Jan. 1819. ARRANGEMENTS OF MONASTERIES. 867 



Rajah became the spiritual head of this sect, and, as is well 

 known, disputes the temporal government also of his country 

 with the DevaRajah,who is the hereditary temporal monarch, 

 and never claims spiritual jurisdiction. I am indebted to Dr. 

 Campbell for a copy and translation of the Dhurma Rajah's 

 great seal, containing the attributes of his spirituality, a 

 copy of which I have appended to the end of this chapter. 



The internal organisation of the different monastic 

 establishments is very simple. The head or Teshoo Lama * 

 rules supreme ; then come the monks and various orders of 

 priests, and then those who are candidates for orders, and 

 dependents, both lay-brothers and slaves : there are a few 

 nunneries in Sikkim, and the nuns are all relatives or connec- 

 tions of the Rajah, his sister is amongst them. During the 

 greater part of the year, all lead a more or less idle life ; the 

 dependents being the most occupied in carrying wood and 

 water, cultivating the land, &c. 



The lay-brothers are often skilful workmen, and are some- 

 times lent or hired out as labourers, especially as house- 

 builders and decorators. No tax of any kind is levied on 

 the church, which is frequently very rich in land, flocks, 

 and herds, and in contributions from the people : land is 

 sometimes granted by the Rajah, but is oftener purchased 

 by the priests, or willed, or given by the proprietor. The 

 services, to which I have already alluded, are very irregularly 

 performed ; in most temples only on festival clays, which 

 correspond to the Tibetan ones so admirably described in 

 MM. Hue and Gabet's narrative ; in a few, however, ser- 

 vice is performed daily, especially in such as stand near 

 frequented roads, and hence reap the richest harvest. 



* I have been informed by letters from Dr. Campbell that the Pcmioivjchi 

 Lama is about to remove the religious capital of Sikkim to Dorjiling, and build 

 there a grand temple and monastery: this will be attractive to visitors, and 

 afford the means of extending our knowledge of East Tibet. 



