The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-10-03
A BUpDHIsr MON MASS IN PARIS.
wise OId Gentlemen ana Charming HounE
Ladies witness Queer OLD Ceremonies.

KNInA 0H6 NrEnNVenrn ana SnhtutNuE uOuuH
AS ~ s',.... o.. ~. C...mo,,..
Ladies Withess queer ""
From the Figaro.
rosrmo the;r lohora bv n rod moss
Magistrates resume tneir inoors ps = mass
o oiVI ths ouo with which thew closed their con,
ouoo, L. poris r. n . charming and nioturesoue
sress IN r"r TSo was a.v - ut9r M G"imot ', was tbo
nasn pr,o v,atnrdoy mornine in the rich
museum, where all the religions of the East are
represented. flowers covered the thresholds OF
the doors, rolled in beautiful volutes along the
colonnades. and ran in garlands IN inc haH
whcre tne nuuuniS1 onieo WIS vi" ~ "na
ohrysah'nemuhs, c"tma'rone' p"o " ""u
orchids adorned the library, where 500 Paris
inns lodies and pcntlcmpn. were assembled for
- ~, ...S,Sns - a,,ors h,ng unon III.
tnerr oeVo,'ons. oranse IDIOTS n nuns =, u ,Sa ~
ncts whore the faithful moved with noiseless
tan, rho si,ar had M orchi,.ctnral nreten.
sions. 1t was a simple table, the steps leading
to which were in the form of q pyramid. and
each ono was lighted by thirty.seven tapers.
This figure symbolizes the thirty.seven Lights OF
supreme wisdom contained in the $4,000
tenets OF the rehgion Oh nuuuua' Aoo'e' oui-
rounded by flowers without leaves and leaves
Wl'nou1 nono,s' 20 p.a - ~. noInrs
standard diSpiayeu III every sense u ooioie'
yellow, rose, white, red, and blue, and vague
perfumes, mingled with incense, rose from the
entire collection Of corollas.
In the v~estibule of the museum where NJ.
Guimet teaches the precepts OF BUDDHISM, the
assistants appeared to be quite attentive. They
listened piously to the lessons which the ermdite
professor gave them in II low voice. There
were present many very pretty young women
and also a considerable number OF intrepid and
dignitied free thinkers. This mixed crowd
listened with apparent convictlon.. TO tho
recommendations Imposed by the ritual. In
order to take part in the Buddhist ohice
1t is necessary to have a pure mind and
u body free from alcohol. The mind must be-
turned 10 thoughts OF goodness, gentleness, and
innocence, and water. perfumcd by saffron
must purify the faithful. The hands that are
destined to place flowers upon the altar must
be free from every stain.
AS if all of these conditions were realized
slowly and in the most profound silence. Each
it upon the white cloth that was lighted by
thirty-scven lamps. The unworthy were left
on the upper floor, where they could see the in
t~crcsting ceremonies.
II is IL O'Clock and mass is about to begin.
I saw in the first rank. VI. CGmenceau. He
was placed so close 10 the altar that the long
yellow robe of the Buddhist priest brushed
against him. There were also present Prince
Holland Bonnparte, Mrssrs. solomon Reinach,
Leon RO-ny, Roger Marx, the Chief Secretary
of the Prefecture of the Seine. professors OF the
faculty, members of the institute and "a number
or 0srr phpIs morn or1cH n!bestb in nj The ' iisrs, Lor hoIdin Vim is
his hand a magnificent bouquet Of chrysanthe.
NUNS.
a strange sound of whispering passed through
the crowd. 1t was the announcement Of tho
arrival OF the celebrhnt, the Anagtrika, H..
Dharmarnln. A .Cingaicso 18th u creamy com
ulcXion, tall and graceful in his movements,
advanced toward the altar. He bowed and
waved his arms. He was enveiopcd by a long
relic of the god Buddha. Gently he PLACED it
upon the altar, and then. turning to the faith.
MillouG. The assistant curator of the museum,