The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1856-07-09
HIMALAYAN TEMPLES.

apart but are not PARALLEL to one anoth.
er, although their general direction is
east and west. Each is oblong, and
narrowed upward, with the door at one
end the middle (and smallcssl faces
the west, the other the east; the door.
ways are all broad, low, and deep. pro.
tected by carved portico. The walls
are immenaely thick, of weu-pasoned
rlaty stones; the outer surface Of each
slopes upward and inward, the inner e
perpendicular. The roofs are low and
thickly thatched, and project from eight
or ten feet all around, to keep off the
rain, being sometimes supported bl
long poles. There is a very low upper
story, inhabited by the attendant monks
and servants, accessible by ladder as
one end of the building. The mNin
body of the temple is one large~apaIts
ment, entered through snell tranii.
verse vestibule, the breadth of she tea.
pie, ir which are tail, cylindrical p1ay.
ing ,nac- aes- The carving round shs
door is very beautiful, end they sre
! gaudily painted and gilded. The norses
ern temble is quite plain; the middle
one is simply painted red, and encircled
with row of black heads, with google
eyes and numerous teeth, on q white
ground it is said to have been original.
ly dedicated to evil spirits of the Lep.
cha creed. The southern, which contains
the library, is the largest and best, and
is of an irregular square shape. The in.
side walls and floors are with clay, and
painted with allegorical representations
of Boodh, SO. From the vestibule the
principal apartment is entered by broad
folding doors, studded with circular cop.
per bosses, and turning on iron hinges
1t is lighted by latticed windows, some.
times protected outside BY . bamboo
screen. Owing to the great thickness
of the walls, (three or four feet thick,l
a very feeble lie ght is admitted. In the
principal temple, called "Dagang," sig
hexagonal wooden columns narrowed
above, with peculiar broad transverse
capitals, exquisitely gilded and painted.
support the cross beams of the roof
which are likewise beautifully ornamen.
ted. Sometimes curly-maned gilt lion
is placed over column, and it is alwaya
| furnished with bfuUk-hsashy Afail::
squares, diamonds, dragons and groups
of flowers, vermillion, green, gold, azure
and white, are dispersed with great az.
tisic taste oyer ell the beams; the heay-
ier masses of color being separated by
fine white lines.
The alters and idols are placed at the
opposite end; and two long parallel
benches, like Cathedral stalls, run down
the center of the building; on these the
monks sit at prayer and contemplstion.
the head Lama occupying stall (of.
ten of very tasteful design near the al.
tar.
The principal Boodh, or image, ID
placed behind the altar under . canopy
or behind silk screen; gaily dressed
and painted eHgies of sainted male or
female persons are ranged on either side.
or placed in inches around the apart
nent, sometimes with seperats altera
before them; while the walls are more
or less covered with paintings Of monks
in prayer and contemplation. Tho prin.
cipal Boodh (Sakya Sing) sits cross-leg-
ed, with the left heel up; his left hand
always rests on his thigh, and holds the
padmi or lotus and jewel, which is often
a mere cup the right hand is either
raised, with the two foreAngers up, or
holds the dorje, or rests on the calf Of
the upturned leg. Sakya has generally
curled hair, Lamas have mitres, females
various head dresses; most wear i'm.
mcnse ear rings, some rosaries. All are
placed on rude pediments, SO painted a.
to convey the idea af their rising out Of
the petals of the pink, purple, or white
lotas. None are in any way disagreea-
BILE; on the contrary, most have calm,
pleasing expression. suggestive of oon-
templa ton.
The great or south temple contained 9
side altar of very elegant shape, placed
before an image encircled by glory.
Flowers, juniper peaoock's feathers, pas.
tiles and brass cups of water, were the
chief ornaments of the altars, besides
the instruments have elsewhere en,i-
merated. In this temple was the Ira
ry, containing several hundred booEs y
pigeon holes, placed in recesses.
The effect on entering these cold and
gloomy temples is very impressivei the
Dugang in particular was exquisitely
ornamented with painting, and the vista
from the vestibule to he principal Idol
Of carved and colored pillars and beams.
| was very pictur esque.-FoD ~.
Dalton Uooksr's 11avels, Just pahtiaA
ed IN England.
EEA commissioner Of the Insdt