Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-02-22
A BUDDHISTIC MASS,
First Occidental Celebration of q
Unique Religious Service.

From the Literary Digest
At the close of the recent international
congress of orientalists, held in Paris, the
members Of the convention Wee invited to
be present al a unique religious service,
which has probably never before been Gale
brated in the occident. This was a Budd-
histic mass. held in the famous Musee
Guimet, the conduct of which Is described
by the Figaro substantially as follows:
The library room, in which the services
took place, was profusey decorated with
chrysanthemums, roses, orchids, etc, and
300 and more Partisan gentlemen and ladies
took part in the service. The draperies
were all of an orange-yellow color This
altar was of no special architectural fash
ion, but only plain table upon which was
erected pyramid Of steps, each step bear
ing a torch. In all there were $50 of these
symbolizing the 100 lights of the exalted
wisdom found in the 81 900 doctrines of the
Buddhistic faith. To the point Of the pyra-
mid was attached a standard or flag in
golden, pink. white, red and blue colors the
whole surrounded by flowers and leaves.
The sweet SAVIOR of the flowers, mingled
with incense, filed the hall In the room
in front of the library NJ. Guimet instruct
ed his audience in the laws of Buddhism
which were listened to with rapt attention.
In the audience are found representatives
of every type of religious thought. Wiling
ly, it seems, they yield to the instructions
that he who would take part in the Bu1d-
histic worship must, according to the rite
of that worship, be of pure heart, and his
body must know nothing of the use of al
cohoic drinks. His spirit must occupy IT.
self with good, gentle and pure thoughts.
The faithful must cleanse themselves IN
water perfumed with saffron, and the
hands that are to bring flowers to the altar
acceptable to God must be without blemish
After these preliminary instructions the
doors to the library are opened, and with a
reverent step the assembly enters the
shrine. In two professions they slowly and
in deep silence approach the altar. Every
participant, in accordance with orders CIV
en-, carries flower in his hand and Jays 1t
down upon a snow-white clota which Is
placed before the 72O torches. The unbe.
levers have found places in the .aller'es,
where they can see the interesting cere-
mony, but are not allowed to take part
in it.
At II o'clock the mass begins Among
those actively participating is M. Clemen-
ceau, the statesman and parliamcntaria.,.
He stands near the altar that the priest
with his yellow gown touches him. Then
are found present also Prince Roland Bona
parte, NM. Solomon Renach, Leon de RIOS
ney, Roger Marx, the general secretary tf
the Seine department, university professors,
members Of the orientalist congress, ETC.
An excited whispering is heard through
the audience and the officiating priest, An
agorica Dharmapala, enters. He is Sim
galese of colorless complexion, tall, with
line ana arlStOcrat1C movements. he moves
his head back and forth, bends his thighs,
moves his arms gracefully. He wears a
large yellow toga, which almost covers his
person, and presses to his breast sacred
relic of the god Buddha- Carefully he
places this upon the altar, turns then to
the other worshipers, and in a chanting
voice, in good English, he speaks as fol-
lows, his words being translated into
French by the assistant conservator of the
museum, NJ. de Milloni:
"Oh. that / could be as pure as a scented
rose. This noble flower withers, and thus
all things pass away. l dedicate this flow
er to the Lord of the world. of eternal
truth and the most holy of beings.
Il VOW not to slay any living creature
Il vow not to take my neighbours goods.
II vow not to give myself up to sensual
pleasures.
II vow not to drink any intoxicants"
After this prayer the priest Dharmapala
pronounces a panegyric on the blessings of
the Buddhistic religion, which he says is
1900 years old. While he is speaking his
eyes are constantly directed to the flower
and are not fixed on his audience.
After the address is completed the cere-
mony Of the mass begins. The Anagorien
takes long yellow ribbon wrapped around
a staff. He gives one end to his neighbor,
M. Clemenceau, who has all along shown a
very reverent attitude. Then the silken
ribbon passes from hand to hand, encircling
the faithful. until it again reaches the i'm
age of Buddha. Then comes a slow chant
ing song Dharmapala is singing the
praises Of Buddha. The ceremony itself is
now over. The yellow ribbon Is cut into
small pieces and each participant takes a
piece home with him as beneficial fetish
sacred language of the Pail, and the audi
ence ia dismissed