Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1852-06-23

principal Lamaserais OF lhlbet ana = = ARA
The work which excited most enthusiast
among the spectators, though we could no,
ourselves feel much inspired by it,was sort
If nunpet theatre, erected before the prlnl--
cinal temple, and in which the dramat,S
persona, scenery, and decorations, were al,
of butter. The whole performance. consisted
Of two professions of Lamas, coming our OF
two little doors, remaining for few mo-
ments on the stage, and then going back
again. :,os+;no
AS we did not find this very Interesting
we soon went away to examine some groups
of devils, as grotesque mostly as those " "
ECaIlot; and while we were so engaged We
suddenly heard a grand burst OF trumPels
and marine shells. The Grand Lama, we
were told, was just issuing from his sane
tuary. to visit the flowers. We asked moth
inc better, for we had great curiosity to
see him. and he soon reached the spot where
we were standing. This living Buddha was
about forty years of age, of ordinary hgure'
commonplace physiognomy, and swarthy
complexion and if he noticed the fine face
Of the first Buddha, as here represented, he
must certainly have thought he had strange,
" deoenerated from his original type He
was on foot surrounded by the principal
dlgnitarles of the Lamaserai, and preceded
by crowd Of Lamas, who cleared the way
for him with great whips. If we were but
little struck with the person OF the Grand
Lama, we were much so with his dress,
which was precisely that of bishop, for
he had on his head a yellow mltre, long
staff in the form of crozier in his right
hand, and on his shoulder a mantle OF vlo-
let-coloured taffeta, fastened in front with
clasp, and exactly resembling cope. We
had, indeed, subsequently often occasion to
remark the ,analogies between the Catholic
and Buddhist costume and ceremonial.
The spectators appeared to pay but little
attention to their living BuddhaMbelng
much more occupied with tie Buddhas IN
fresh butter, which were certainly much
prettler. The only ones who showed any
signs of devotion were the Tartars, who
Joined their hands and bowed their heads
in token of respect, and even seemed al
Aicted that the crowd in the streets prevent
ed their prostrating themselves.
The Grand Lama, when he had finished
his tour, returned to his sanctuary; andthis
was the signal for the people abandoning
themselves to the widest transports OF JOY.
They sang till they were fairly out OF BREATH
they danced; they pushed each other about;
they tumbled head over heels and shout,
ed till one might have thought they had all
gone crazy. AS, in the midst OF this dis
order, it would have been easy for the but
ter decorations to have been destroyed, the
Lamas were armed with lighted torches to
keep off the mob, which was roaring around
them like a tempestuous sea.
We returned home at Late hour, and by
sunrise there was no longer trace OF the
grand Feast of Flowers. All had disap-
pearcd the bas-Ieliefs lad been demol-
ished. and the enormous quantity OF butter
thrown into the ravine, to serve as food for
the crows. These grand works that had
cost so much time, so much labour and one
may say SO much genius, had served but
for the spectacle of single night. With
the flowers the pilgrims also had disappear
ed. We saw them, IN the morning, slowly
climbing the sides of the mountain, to re-
turn each to his own wild country. They
walked in silence, with their heads cast
down; for the mind of man can, in this
world, support so little joy, that the day at-
ter a gay festival is commonly one OF bit
terness and melancholy.