The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-07-22

A Peculiar Buddhist Service I'm the
Great Temple of Ikegama.
Chicago Record.


The temple proper covers perhaps an
acre or ground. d low, rambling building
with a massive roof covered with heavy
tiles that curl up at the corners, as you
always see them In Japanese pictures
The roof covers accommoda tions for 500
monks, with reception room. libraries.
reliquaries. treasure houses. apartments
for the priests, kitchens. wardrobes. per-
haps 500 rooms in all. which are arranged
in the Japanese style and separated by
sliding partitions. Some OF them were OF
beautifully polished wood and others OF
small panels. IN which paper is pasted in
stead of glass. The great chamber of
worship is perhaps go feet square with
frequent pillars handsomely carved and
painted red. The interior is a mass of
lacquer. gliding. banners streamers and
bronzes, with immense lanterns OF brass
and copper fligree. bronze images a I'd
lotus leaves. gongs and drums placed
upon pedestals or hanging from the roof.
gilded streams. portraits OF famous
priests, and quaint pictures in the jap
anese style representing scenes in the life
OF Buddha ard Nlcherin. who seems 20
have been sor: OF 81. Peter
The altar was a pyramid OF rather
gaudy decorations. cardlesticks and paper
flowers With myrtads of candles. burning
incense sticks and bundles OF paper pray
ers before the images OF the difrerent
Of the altar is a massive effigy or Buddha
wearing the invsriable complacent smile
The peasants think IL is solid mass OF
geld. but IL ts only a block Of wood sildrd
Al the right % the altar. behind giided
doors. Is A similar image Of the saint4d
Nicherin.
The priests came from their retiring
rooms IN a lone procession. marching
awiewardly ard unevenly. some With long
strides and some with short. and their
faces furnished = most interesting study
for a physiognonist. Some were gross
and EIuttonous: others wore a >anctiaAd
expression. as IL they had acquired The
supreme ambition OF every Buddhist
which Is the entire suppression ~ the yas-
sions and the enjoyment OF holy calm
Some were old ard toothless: others were
young. almost hovish Several had strong
Intellectual faces, others were almost iai-
Otto in their expression. and Il ala not re-
quIre a Iavater 70 decide hat y sorts
Of characters had found heir way irto
the Buddhist priesthood
The procession was led ny priests who
wore robes OF distinctive color and
fashion. handsomely embroidered. Then
came two acclytes bearing trays that
were covered With napkins. which they
asterwara placed on the altar Follow
ing them was the nigh priest. vhe wore
a long white beard and looked like q
patriarch Tie Is the bishop % The larg-
es; Buddhist diocese In Japan. and Is re-
nutet % ne n man - proper life. pro
found learning ans great influence In
public ana'rs. His robes were gorgeous
hrocades. scarlet ard purple ant gold re
carried an elaborate lacquer star IKE a
rrosier and a ho-se-tsn switch Which Is
usef 81 me distribution 90 blessings y
is waved before the image OF Buitba and
fhen over the heads 81 the wo-shippers
20 d.st rihute TIRE oeucfcient influence o.
TIE g0a through IRE Rtwosrhere. The
other priests wo~ss robes Of different col
ors. which seemed 20 indicate their rank
white, yellow green. purple. blue and
scaTte- Some were er1Nrn'sereH $50 s0-,e