Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1897-09-01
NOMAN VOWS TO FOLLOW BUD
DHA


The first woman to embrace Bud
dhism publicly in this country received
her vows Monday evening at No. 500
Fifth avenue. This convert, whose
purpose is to devote years of labor in
the far East to uplifting her sey, is the
The Countess M. de Canavarro, an
American, formerly of San Francisco,
who, to follow her chosen life, surren-
ders, as the officiating priest at Monday
evenings ceremony announced, family,
fortune and title.
The ceremony drew an audience of
two hundred men and women of notably
oigh class. AT the farther end of the
hall was an altar of seven steps, cover
ed with yellow drapery and surmount.
ed and fanked with flowers.
The steps of the altar we're symbol
cal of the Buddhist's idea of the seven
stages of human progress to perfection.
The lower one symbolized observation
IF all things; the second analysis and
thorough understanding of all things
observed, the third ceaseless energy,
the fourth cultivation of happiness, the
fifth serenity, the sixth peaceful thought,
the last equal mindedness to all. The
flowers typifed purity.
81. Dharmapala, Buddhist priest of
the Order of the Anugarika, who came
10 this country as delegate to the Re-
lieious Parliament at the Worlds Fair,
took his place in front of the altar. He
wore a flowing gown of yellow, the
robe of his order, and carried in his
hand three white roses. Behind him
came the Countess. She is of middle
age, tall and slender, with mass OF
black hair, making still more pale by
contrast colorless face. A scarf
of white to represent the dress
she will wear henceforth, was draped
over one shoulder and across her bo
som, partially concealing her dress OF
black silk and lace and the red rose al
her throat Handsome diamonds spark
led at her ears and she held bunch OF
red roses.
Dharmapala, in excellent English,
and we'll chosen words, announced the
purpose of the gathering and at some
length explained Buddhism. This finish.
d, the Countess, with DR.. Alfred Wal
ion at her side, stepped to the priest.
Dharmapala produced ball ofwhite
string. Holding one end he handed
the ball to DR.. Walton, who uu-
wound it as he passed among tbs au-
dieuce, all of whom were asked by the
priest to keep hand upon the cord, at
the same time willing themselves into
a mind of peace. Then the other end
was banded to the priest, who thus
held both ends of the string which
nearly everybody in the room was
touching. This. it was explained. was
to establish a chain of peace. and ali
present were asked to repeat three
times, "Peace to me-" and then to fol
low the priest in thought as he recited
in English :-"Peace to every one
ia this assemblage. Let piece rein
everywhere. Let peace go with
her," He called for peace upon the
countries of the world, mentioning
many of them by name; upon the
spirits of good who are helping the
world; upon the spirits of darkness who
are battling for evil to mankind; upon
dumb beasts and upon every living
thing.
In this ceremony, he announced, the
persons assembled there, linked by the
stretched cord, had transmitted peace
to the uttermost parts of the earth,
and he asked that all surrender them
selves to two minutes of silent medita
ton to wish loving kindness every
where. Priest and Countess stood
with uplifted face during the intervsl
of silence, then Dharmapala shouted In
Pail, the ancient tongue of India, the