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 bell, hand-drum, or other 
instrument, and blowing the air thrice with his face, mentally* sum- 
mons the noxious enemy+ 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 ;{ then follow different steps and words of 
incantation and exorcism. 
Three signals with the cymbals having been made two ATSARAS,§ 
coming out of the large door of the monastery, post themselves on 
either side of it, with one arm a kimbo, and blow their hautbois 
twice gently, twice vehemently, and then two Gylongs|| 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. Now 
* Performing things 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 rot let their flocks off quite so 
easily. 
t any being, man or demon, adversary to the religion or to the country, &c. 
t{ A small figure moulded in 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. 
§ ArsaRa is derived from the Sanscrit Acharya teacher, spiritual guide; 
but according to what I was told, it is now rather used like Yogi or holy 
mendicant, a Hindoo fagir. Besides this, it must also denote a sort of demon 
or spirit, as I have met with the word in this signification in books ; J 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. (THLocaNn 
Pupma JuNGNAS ?) 
** A nail or peg, in shape of a dagger and often beautifully ornamented, 
isa 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, 
