New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-01-15
CLOISTERS IN CHINA.
THE LIFE AND DUTIES OF CHINESE NUNS-THH
GODDESS or MERCY.

| THE LIFE AND DUTIES OF CHINESE NUNSCTHI
GODDESS or MERCY
| The life and aims OF the nuns Of China were de-
Cribed I'm recent issue OF the Osasatische LLOYD
which devotes much space to the consideration Of
affairs In the Tlowery Kingdom. The daily duties.
however OF the Chinese nuns are not so exacting as
| those Of the nuns Of Europe and other Western
countries.
Numerous coisters." says the Journal are to b
found I'm various parts Of China, occupied by Budds
histlc whose patron saint is Kuanyin the god.
dess OF mercy. Indeed idol is be found In all
the country TO which the people show more respect
than TO the goddess who Is believed TO be the special
protector Of the weaker sex. The influence which
the nuns have upon women IS considerable They
rave been always great aid TO Tie spread Of Budds
htm the retired life Of the Chinese women makes
It almost impossible for the priests to reach them.
But the OF tile people despise the nuns -
We'll as the Bones. This Is due In part to the
comparatively free life led by many members Of the
order. The novices u the Buddistc order are 70.
cruted In various ways. As rule the nuns pur.
chase little children. As the poorer families are
only too glad TO get rid Of their feminine members
there Is lack of children in the colsters whose
lives devoted exclusively TO the service OF Buddha
1t also happens that grown people enter the
costers voluntarily TO be enrolled later In the order
Of nuns. A candidate cannot become a nun proper
before she has passed the age OF sixteen. From the
and It's interests. she the costume peculiar to
the order and resembling greatly that Of priest of
Buddha. The similarity In fact Is striking that Il
Is often difficult to distinguish monk from nun.
The nuns large homely unbranded shoes. broa1
blue trousers. long linen stockings and blue linen
jaclets with wide sleeves. Tie head Is shaved close
like that Of priest II IS covered by cap. The nun,
however, Is more Clearly looking than the priest.
Her voice naturally betrays her. The principal
difference In the appearance Of novice and -
TO b. seen In the head While the head of q nun ID
shaved entirely that Of a novice is shaved only In
front. The back hair Is In q long plat. soon
us young womans head IS shaved entirely. she ia
Obliged lead ascetlc life. she dare eat ana
drink only little. Her diet is vegetarian.
The novice Is never allowed come in contact
with members u the opposite sex. Daily she a
obliged her pyers In the cloIscr and attend
other religious ceremonies. clean the holy Of HOLES anl
the ALTAR Keep TIE vesta fire burning and give advice
and comfort 10 those who approach uhe altar to pray.
otherwise the Chinese nuns enjoy considerable liberty
Their me however. "a rule, Is taken up with
visiting the sick and dying and In PROSECUTING. They
are In the streets often going from house
to house soliciting aims. A wing of each clOiser.
-wnicl resembles In architecture ordinary Bndd.
histe cloiser temple-s reserved for travellers
who wish nights lodging. Both men and women
are allowed 10 live for time IN these Wings"