34 



THE SHAY-LE: 



Chap. 11. 



the shrine. I found the precions relic locked up 

 in a bell-shaped dome. When this was opened 

 I observed a small pagoda carved in wood, and 

 evidently very ancient. It was about ten inches 

 or a foot in height, and four inches in width. In 

 the centre was a small bell, and near the bottom 

 of this the shay-le or relic was said to be placed. 

 " I can see nothing there," said I to my guide. 

 " Oh," said he, " you must get it between you and 

 the light, and then you may see it ; it is sometimes 

 very brilliant, but only to those who believe." 

 " I am afraid it will not shine for my gratification 

 then," said I ; but I stood in the position my 

 guide indicated. It might be imagination, I dare 

 say it was, but I really thought I saw some- 

 thing unusual in the thing, as if some brilliant 

 colours were playing about it. The Eeverend 

 Dr. Medhurst, of the London Missionary Society, 

 who has since visited and examined the relic, 

 could see nothing " because he had no faith ;" and 

 if at any time there is anything to be seen, such 

 an appearance could no doubt be easily explained 

 from natural causes. The priest informed me the 

 precious relic had been obtained from the top of a 

 hill behind the temple by their forefathers, who 

 had handed it down with the traditions attending 

 it to the present generation, and that they wanted 

 no further proof of its being genuine. 



Shay-le, or precious relics of Buddha, are found in 

 many of the Buddhist temples. In a former work * 



* Journey to the Tea Countries of China and India. 



