The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1895-08-10
A BUDDHIST PRIEST.
TWO TRAVELLERS HAVE AN INTEREST
ING TALK WITH HIM.

Keen interest IN all psycnOloSlcai ques-
tons and especially in the development
Of the religious man. In japan and
China he pursued his Investigations
without rest, but be had never found
the opportunity for which be longed-
10 talk with some authoritative expo
Dent Of Buddhism. Here In Handy the
opportunity offered, and it was speedily /
embraced. decided to go along to give
a layman's view Of the interview We
learned that we could see and talk with
the high priest by means Of an inter-
prefer. Now, Ceylon, you must know,
is the place where the original Bud
dhism has been maintained. In japan
and China it has been modified and ccr-
rupted. In Ceylon you still find the real
article. Besides, Handy, from having 20
important relic as the Buddha's tooth
large enough 10 serve as a dentists
signs the very holy Of holes Of Bud
dhism. To this place must the seeker
after truth come, and here we were. the
secret almost within sight and hearing.
So we meandered half way round the
lovely embowered lake which adorns
Kandy-an artificial construction Of
the Kandyan kings. 300 years old, fed
by a pure mountais stream-and came
to a maze Of stone buildings. under DO
trees and spreading palms.
At the entrance we were joined by a
numerous retinue Of priests and monks,
draped in nantes about the size Of
sheets, yellow in color, arranged to
leave the right arm and shoulder bare
This is the costume OF one sect The
other covers both shoulders We were
conducted through narrow ways, under
projecting leaves, which gave pleasant
shelter from the tropical sun, and with
considerable furry were introduced
into a room opening on a gallery occu-
pied by a single old man. De was re-
clining on lounge, and as his yellow
robe had slipped down he presented the
appearance Of a spare bronze figure. he
slowly rose to receive rs, adjusting his
flowing robe. Chairs were brought for
Us, and we sat down, while the attend
ant priests stood about, curious in pic
turesque attitudes.
Saving the chaplain for the more
knotty points, announced through the
interpreter that we were travellers from
America, having a lively interest in
the country. students OF all forms Of hu-
man development and happy to be able
to meet and converse with one who
stands high in the Buddhist faith; that
the name and fame Of Buddha were not
; unknown 10 Us, and that we came re-
spectfully to learn more OF his teach
, ings; that there were admirers Of Bod
: dha and Buddhism in our country who
e would be glad to hear what he could
e tell us better than anybody else.
5 The high priest bowed and furtively
a scratched his side under the loose folds
: Of his robe. We took this as favor
: able symptom, and the chaplain squared
I himself for the delivery Of questions
e which had been growing hotter and hot
; ter within him for three months H'
d asked leading questions in his impa
! thence to get on, and 1 cannot undertak
IS to follow them in their order. But III
e substance Of what we learned was tina
a Buddhism is the one true way, and b
s who obeys its laws obtains peace Tn
g five points Of the law prohibit killing
q lying, stealing. unchastity and intem
u perance. The chaplain asked If ali IN
priests in Ceylon are celibates. Tn
n answer came out rather slowly that the
J. are all required to be. and that when
IS is discovered that one is not he Is di:
lie ROBBED and can be priest no more.
n We were informed that Buddhism
ID kept in its purity in Ceylon. and tha
As Handy is undoubtedly the true cente
Ia of il. because it has the Buddha 5 tooth
er They have a catechism which Is taugt
% 10 the youth, and the priests give ethic'
As instruction to the people by preachin
a and teaching at stated times. The la
- against killing animals Is very stric
The chaplain asked the high priest II
would kill a cobra. He said be woll
i. not. What would you do if one can
into your roomf" asked the chaplain
- The reply was that be would remo'
y. him. To the question, What is unde
- stood By Nirvanas" the answer was tn
= it was a state Of perfect peace. no d
sire unsatisfed, conscious happines
y, One Of the other priests put in a RENAL
Il which seemed intended to modify q
last expression. He said; ." In war
, day we are tanned. we cannot Sc u
!. air. but it gives Us pleasure. tn
=, used metaphors in several cases. TIT
90 spoke Of life as a candle burning in q
wind. which disturbed its fame Pr
- tected. 1t burns steadily.
., The chaplain asked if they believ
- in God. The reply was that there a
~ many gods-some good. some bad. B
~ who created the worlds II came in
Ne existence spontaneously. II could u
- do otherwise. as a cocoauut tree bea
sc cocoanuts and no other fruit.
The old gentleman spoke ssnteutior
". His teeth. unlike Bnddha's, ha
not been preserved. He seemed ratt
NJ amused at some Of the questions. and
IL frequently scratched himself under
50. robe. There are about 60 priests a
80 mo Is attached to this temple. tn
.ne Sc at 4 o'clock in the morning,
vote some hours 70 study, then 60 c
0u' with their bowls on begging expedition
y return 10 study in the afternoon, Gle
ais up the buildings and grounds, 20 TO
at 10. They are not wholly depends
on what they get by begging.
y l. L., r,or think the chanl1fn Will