I? O O T A N. 
97 
Oom mauniepaimee oom c . A small square temple, erected to contain 
an image, stood in the way. A similar building is seen, placed like a 
centinel, as it were, by the road side, on each approach towards every 
consecrated habitation, proportionate in dimensions to the magnitude 
and importance of the edifice with which it is connected: on each of the 
three great roads, that lead to Tassisudon, a very spacious one is 
found. They have one small doorway, which always remains closed, 
at least I never could succeed in my endeavour to obtain a view of 
the interior; yet such is the superstitious respect of the inhabitants for 
its contents, that they constantly uncover their heads, and if travelling 
on horseback, dismount and walk while they pass by them. 
I remember to have seen one of these buildings, which was dedicated 
to the junction of the Hatchieu with the Tehintchieu, near Kepta. 
They are often placed at the meeting of two principal roads. I have 
seen them also at the base of a remarkable mountain,, and they are in¬ 
variably met with, at the entrance of every capital village. 
There is another sort of monument occasionally substituted in places 
of inferior consequence; it is a long wall, commonly about twelve or 
fifteen leet in length, six feet high, and two deep, with a centre dis¬ 
tinguished by being thicker and higher than the sides. On both faces, 
near the top, are inserted large tablets, with the words Oom maunie 
c Of this form of words, to which ideas of peculiar sanctity are annexed by the in¬ 
habitants of Bootan and Tibet, I could never obtain a satisfactory explanation. It is 
frequently engraven on the rocks in large and deep characters, and sometimes I have 
seen it on the sides of hills : the letters, which are formed by means of stones fixed in the 
earth, are of so vast a magnitude, as to be visible at a very considerable distance. 
