Chap. IX. BUDDHIST TEMPLE. 141 
and dried fruits were exposed to tempt the weary 
pilgrim on his way to worship at the temple. 
Begging priests were also passed, ready to bestow 
prayers and blessings on the heads of those who 
gave them alms. 
As we approached the sacred building, one of 
my yakoneens ran before to announce our arrival. 
On entering the main gateway there was a tank of 
holy water on our right hand. Every devotee, on 
entering, visits the holy well, and sprinkles himself 
with water before he enters the temple. For this 
privilege he pays a small sum, the amount expected 
being in accordance with the means of the giver. 
In most cases the poor give only a few cash of the 
country, about the value of a farthing of our 
money. My attendant yakoneens did not fail to 
perform the ceremony like good Buddhists, after 
which we ascended the broad flight of steps which 
led up to the main hall of the temple. Many native 
visitors came in while we were there, and each one, 
as he reached the door of the edifice, was observed 
to bow low before its altars, and to mutter some 
prayers. Inside there were a number of priests of 
the Buddhist faith, who had evidently an eye to 
the good things of this world, and who were busily 
engaged in selling books and pictures connected 
with the temple to the ignorant and superstitious 
who came to worship at its altars. The temple itself 
appeared to be a strong and massive structure. 
Huge paper lanterns were hanging from the roof, 
and a few Buddhist deities were observed on the 
