1865.] Religion &c. among the Karens. 197 
Some German critics say, that “ Psyche, in Homer, signifies only the 
breath and the life; never, as in the language of later times, the spirit 
or soul. Yet it goes to Hades and continues to live there.” There is 
something like Psyche, as thus defined, in Karen Psychology ; yet m 
many points more like the genius of the Latins; but differing as it 
does from both, it will be better in this paper to designate it by its 
native name; and explain it by its attributes. The Pwas call it La, 
the Bghais Lai, the Sgaus Ka-li, and the Red Karens Yo. 
This La existed before man was born, comes into the world with 
him, remains with him until death, lives after death, and for aught 
that appears to the contrary, is immortal. Yet no moral qualites are 
predicated of it. It is neither good nor bad, but is merely that which 
gives life to mortality. 
The Las of a part of the dead remain on earth and become mischiev- 
ous spirits ; others go to Hades, where they are employed as on earth ; 
others goto hell, where they suffer punishment; while others go to 
the Deva heavens, where they enjoy happiness. 
Although in this state, the La and the man himself, the Ego, are 
said to be distinct ; yet in nearly all the representations of the future 
_ state, the man seems to be absorbed in the La; and inconsistent as it 
_ is with previous representations, it then appears equivalent to the soul. 
: _ Sometimes it is spoken of as the man, before being united with the 
body. Thus a Bghai writes : 
“The elders say: ‘The God of the whole human race resides at 
the foot of the sun, at the foot of the moon; anid people who are born 
are sent by God, and people who die are called back by God.’ 
“Men at the beginning are in the presence of God, and he sends 
them forth; but before sending them, he tries their courage. He 










es a sword and lays it across an abyss asa bridge, with the edge 
uppermost, and orders them to walk over it. Those who dare to 
walk across it, are bold; and God sends them into the world men, 
hose who, after being urged two or three times, dare not go, God 
- into the world women. 
_ “ When God sends them forth, he gives commands in relation to the 
times and the seasons of their return. It is related that a prophet, or 

necromancer, looking into the world of spirits, on one occasion saw 
seven men and two women coming into the world, and he heard them 
talking with each other, The first man said, ‘God has ordered me to 
