Chap. IT. 



VISIT TO HIGH-PRIEST. 



33 



belonged to it, and partly from the contributions 

 of devout Buddhists who came there to worship. 

 The high-priest himself also contributed largely to 

 its support. On inquiring how this happened, he 

 informed me that he was obliged to contribute a 

 large sum — I think he said 3000 dollars — before 

 he could be elected to the office he now held, 

 and that he held it for three years only, when 

 his successor would have to contribute a similar 

 sum. This sum was spent in keeping the temple 

 in repair. I understood him to say that the in- 

 ducement held out to men of his class is high 

 honours at the end of the three years when they 

 retire into private life. 



When we had sipped our tea, I then told the 

 high-priest I had heard there was a Shay-le or 

 relic of Buddha in the monastery, and expressed a 

 desire to see it. He appeared ple'ased to find the 

 fame of the relic had reached my ears, and sent 

 immediately for the priest under whose charge 

 it was placed, and desired him to show it to me. 

 I now bade adieu to the old man, and followed my 

 guide to that part of the monastery where the 

 relic was kept. On our way he asked me whether 

 it was my intention to burn incense to Buddha 

 before the box which contained the relic was 

 opened. I replied that not being a Buddhist 

 I could not do that, but I would give him a small 

 present for opening the box — a way of settling 

 the question which seemed to please him quite 

 as well as buying candles and incense to burn at 



D 



