Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-01-21
CLOlSTERS IN CHINA,
The Life and Duties of Chinese Nuns-T
Goddess of Mercy.

The Life and Duties of Chinese Nuns-The
Goddess of Mercy.
The life and aims of the nuns OF China we're
described in a recent issue OF the Ostosiatische
Lloyd. which devotes much space to the con-
sideration of affairs in the howery kingdom.
The daily duties, however. of the Chinese nuns
are not so exacting those of the nuns of
Europe and other western countries.
Numerous clo;sters," saws the journal. '.are
to be found in various parts Of China, occupied
by Buddhistic nuns, whose patron saint is
kuanyin, the goddess of mercy. Indeed, no
idol is to be found in all the country to which
the people show more respect than to the god
dess who is believed to be the special protector
of the weaker sex. The influence which the
nuns have upon women is considerable. They
have been always a great aid to the spread of
Buddhism. as the retired life of the Chinese
women makes it almost impossible for the
priests to reach them. But the great mass of
the people despise the nuns as well as the
Bones. This is due in part to the c0mpara-
lively free life led by many members of the
order. The novices of the Buddhstic order
are recruited in various ways. As rule the
nuns purchase little children. As the poorer
families are only too glad to get rid of their
feminine members there is never a lack of
children in the cloisters. whose lives are de-
voted eXclusIvely to the service of Buddha.
1T also happens that grown people enter the
cloisters voluntarily. to be enrolled later in the
order of nuns candidate cannot become q
nun proper before she has passed the age of
sixteen. From the day, however. that she dedi-
Gates her life to the cloister and its interests
she wears the costume peculiar to the order
and resembling greatly that of priest of
Buddha. The similarity, in fact. is striking
that it is often difficult to distinguish a monk
from nun. The nuns wear large, homelv
unbranded shoes, broad blue trousers, long
linen stockings and blue linen jackets with
wide sleeves. The head is shaved close
like that Of priest. 1t is covered by a 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 nun is 10 be seen in the head.
While the head of nun is shaved entirely
that Of novice ia shaved only in front. The
back hair is worn in long plat. As soon AS
the young womans head is shaved entirely she
is obliged to lead ascetic life. She dare eat
and drink only little. Her diet is vegetarian.
The novice is never allowed to come III con-
tact with members of the opposite sex. Daily
she is Obliged TO say her prayers in the cloister
and attend other religious ceremonies. clean
the holy of holes and the altar, keep the vestal
fire burning and give advice and comfort to
those who approach the altar to pray. Other
wise the Chinese nuns enjoy considerable
liberty. Their free time, however. as a rule, is
taken up with visiting the sick and dying and in
proselyting They to be seen in the streets
often going from house to house soliciting aims.
4 wing of each cloister-which resembles in
architecture an ordinary Buddhstic cloister or
temple-ls reserved for travellers who wish a
nights lodging. Both men and women are
allowed to live for a time in these wings