The Grange advance., 1874-09-02

i tracts them rs Il sets. On the cOrni-
ll:ces are tstelx trees the
trunk Of eachs cncircled by : distinct
species of serpent. on whose sides the
twelve signs Of the zodiac are repre-
sented. s,Sss 81 s.gss III: 3 -.sS:3 ..ss.
Tree and serpent worship ranks
among the very earliest forms through
which the human mind sought to ap-
proach and to propitiate the myste-
rious powers Of nature. Two thousand
years ago it was the common religion
not only Of the Island Of Ceylon, but Of
almost all the remote parts of Asia !;
and wherever we meet with the serpent
worship, in tradition or in history. there
is also q sacred tree, or trees, connect
ed with it. To this day the most
learned physicians of Siam make use of
the bite of snakes and crocodiles
to cure dreadful epidemics, chole-
Ira, etc. In Egypt, Car
thage, Greece, Persia, India. and Java
the serpent is honored by the original
inhabitants, and is always looked upon
as harbinger of good from the i'm
known. a, -: ,~-.....
Tree and serpent worship, however,
was so utterly antagonistic to the mild
and benevolent spirit Of Buddhism that
it was summarily abolished by the ear
liest Buddhist council. But, in spite of
all their combined efforts, til found to
crop out again and again, and it still re-
mains as q sacred tradition among all
classes and ranks of Budahists.
But to return to our subject. In the
centre Of the paved courtyard, facing
the main building, stands an immense
pond, with stone steps leading down to
the waters edge, which is kept con-
stantly supplied with water from the
river itself. Here some sacred croco.
diles, water snakes and eels find a pleas
ant home. This last statement, how
ever, is doubtful, so far as the eels and
other small finnish tribes are concerned;
for they constantly disappear, and are
as frequently replenishca by pious men
and women, who hope to gain heaven
by emptying baskets of live eels into
this sacred pond, to. be devoured by
the crocodiles. The dark-skinned wa
ter snakes are shy, and only come to
the surface when the coast is clear; but
the crocodiles are perfectly tame and
familiar with the priests, who
keep the temple, and seem
to have the power of even
distinguishing their voices; for only
when called in their well known tones
will they come to the surface to receive
the rice, bananas, and custard apples
that are brought t6 them daily. All
round the temple are planted groves Of
sacred trees, eighty.one OF which sur
rounded the pond affording most de-
lightful and agreeable shade. Such was
the temple and surroundings where
witnessed one of the most curious and
mystica! ceremonies known to the Budd-
hists of to-day. When I plantedrax-
self under one of the sacred treeAh
what l considered most favorable po-
sition to command fine view of the
mystic rites, while watching, at the
same time, the operations of the holy
crocodi1es, was told the position was
too sacred one for an outsider, and,
after some reluctance on the part Of
certain law off Rcers, whose business it
was to attend to the crowd, was per.
n1itted to seat myself on fallen branch
of one Of the most ancient of the sa-
cred trees, SO sedueously preserv-
ed that the removal of; a
single twig is prohibited, and
even the fallen leaves, as they are scat.
tered by the wind are collected With
reverence as relics of the holy place..
An immense concourse of worshippers:
and interested spectators were seated
in a circular form outside of the inner.
circle made by the trees. An open sala
on the east was occupied by q band: of
male and female musicians, both vocal
I and instrumental. = Troops of bright
young pirls, gaily dressed in crimson
and gold, carried baskets of flowers: and
fruit as offerings to the sacred beasts in
the pond. There were boys with torch
es faring in broad daylight; there were
women with silver and golden dishes Of
preserves and confectionery for the
priests; there were slaves, gorgeously
dressed, bearing costly gifts to thegrest
sleeping idol; there were great ladies
brilliantly attired in sparkling Jewels
that reflected tens of thousands Of suns
on their necks and arms, fingers and
toes> reclining on silken cushions.
There was nothing wanting to- complete
the oriental and bsrbaric; pomp Of the
strange scene before me. - (
I Presently the conch.shells, were
blown loud and shrill, and we saw q
lopg line Of priests in yellow garments,
hare e headed and closely -shorn, with
eyes cast down and, yelling their
faces with jewehd fans, enter through
the open. gateway. A general stir was
manifested in the crowd; merry boys
and girls pressed forward. deyoat and
hEiiliaRtly-attire ladies bent tie knee
and folded their, hands reveEentially.
while the slaves and attendants crouched
down and hid their facec in Tho f1rst