Chap. IX. 
HISTORY OF THE TEMPLE. 
139 
were sent in a miraculous manner, who daily supplied 
him with food. In the course of time the fame of 
the sage extended all over the adjacent country, and 
disciples flocked to him from all quarters. A small 
range of temples was built, and thus commenced the 
extensive buildings which now bear the name of ' Tein- 
tung,' or the ^Temple of the Heavenly Boys;' Tein 
signifying heaven, and tung a boy. At last the old man 
died, but his disciples supplied his place. The fame of 
the temple spread far and wide, and votaries came from 
the most distant parts of the empire— one of the Chinese 
kings being amongst the number— to worship and leave 
their offerings at its altars. Larger temples were built 
in front of the original ones, and these again in their 
turn gave way to those spacious buildings which form 
the principal part of the structure of the present day." 
All the temples are crowded with idols, or images of 
their favourite gods, such as the three precious Bud- 
dhas," " the Queen of Heaven '— represented as sitting 
on the celebrated lotus or nelumbium— " the God of 
War/' and many other deified kings and great men of 
former days. Many of these images are from thirty to 
forty feet in height, and have a very striking appearance 
when seen arranged in these spacious and lofty halls. 
The priests themselves reside in a range of low build- 
ings, erected at right angles with the different temples 
and courts which divide them. Each has a little 
temple in his own house— a family altar crowded with 
small images, where he is often engaged in private 
devotion. 
After inspecting the various temples and the belfry. 
