Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1902-02-20

and sweetmea:s to the "Water Goddess" for
their care of them during the past year, and
as thank offering and sacrifice, as they have
bathed In her food, drank Of her waters and
rowed their boats over her bosom.
The King sends some royal crafts resemb
ling Illuminated dragons down the river;
these arc lighted by large circular lights In
Ave tiers, resembling the royal umbrella and
are lighted by His Majesty. People are on
the river by thousands, even down by tho
sea the natives are sending of their fire gifts
upon the waves. have seen many beauti-
full demonstrations since my arrival In the
East, but this exceeds all Of them.
The Thot Kathn Holidays last for one
month, and are celebrated by procession on
land and water according to the location OF
the Temple.
Bangkok IL a city Of beautiful Watts ITEM
ples) one, Wat Chang, the largest in the city
is worthy of notice. 1t rcars Its lofty spire
three hundred and sixtyive feet and can be
seen many miles before reaching the city. IT
Is built Of brick covered with white cement
and from its base to the extreme apex Is Gov
cred with flowers and designs made OF bright
colored things. In the sun 1t presents DAG
zling appearance. Grouped around 1t are
many Prachadees from fifty to one hundred
and nfty feet in height, built to cover the
ashes of some Noble, or as merit to Buddha.
1t il said that Siam contains thirty thous.
and priests Every Siamese at some time in
his life must become priest, even the King
Is not exempt. A mar Can serve as priest
not less than three months, yet he may serve
three years If he desires to do so. While in
the priesthood they cannot touch money ex-
ccpt to use as means Of travel, their food
must all be given to them. In the early
morning one can see them 20 from door to
door getting their daily supply. This Offer
ing is done willingly by the people as 1t gives
them merit with Buddhs.
The word Thot means, to lay down; Kath
In means we're. difficult. and is applied TO
robe made from raw cotton for Buddhist
priest IN the course of single day and night
according to patch work design styled the
Katrina pattern. The cotton cloth Is dyed
yellow In imitation of the customs OF Bud
dha and his early followers. The color is
dingy for the express purpose of making
them odious in the eyes OF the world.
The King expended this year about thirty
five thousand ticals IN priests robes 10 be
given by His Majesty in his yearly visit to
the Watts in Bangkok. His Majesty goes IN
great pomp ana splendor; if by water, the
finest state barges are used. They are called
the royal throne boats, and only one appears
In the royal procession at time. Length one
hundred aud fifty feet, breadth SIX to eight
feet, gradually becoming narraw fore and aft
and taper upward. Hanging from etem and
stern are two large white tassels made from
the Cashmere goat and between them floats
a golden banner. Midship is a splendid can.
opy about twelve feet long covered with
cloth Of gold, the sides being hung with cur.
tains of the same costly material. Within
is a throne suited to this floating palace. The
whole boat IS built ofteak richly carved and
gilded to represent scales and inlald With
mother of pearl and other precious things.
The bar &c is propelled by seventy padders
who are trained daily for month before,
and are dressed In bright rcd with helmets
of the same color.
The great jewelled fan and the royal UNI
brella of yellow and white add much to the
beauty of this very handsome barge and on
very close examination Of this boat few
DAYS ago, was surprised to find a sold sill
yer railing running around the boat where
the canopy Is placed full eighteen inches high
enameled with gold. Numbers of smaller
barges attend His Majesty on these visits
filed with Princes and Mobiles, and one con
tains only the robes the King is about to do.
nate. When the King arrives at landing
of Temple, the yellow robes necessary arc
carried IN and put IN care of an official to
await the approach of His Majesty, and
until other officers Of State and company
OF Infantry, together with the musicians,
have had time to leave their boats and place
themselves in position for receiving him.
When the King is in the act of ascending the
steps OF the landing odd Siam" blows her
pipes and conch shells and beats her drums.
The military form in double line and present
arms and the brass band plays the National
Anthem. Having reached the door of the
temple, the King takes one suit of the priests
robes in both hands and lays 1t on the table.
On this table are five golden vases of flowers,
five golden dishes of parched rice five gold
candle sticks with their candles and FIVE in
cense sticks. His Majesty lights the candles
and incense sticks then worships before the
sacred shrine OF Buddha, the sacred books
and the assembled priests He then makes
a request of chief priests to renew bis coy
enant to observe the five rules OF the Bud.
dhist religion. These are first. that he will
not take the life of any man or other seDtient
creature; second, that he will not Cypress
any man; third, that he will not take to wife
any woman belonging TO another while there
is the least unwiIiIgness on the part Of the
woman OF her parents; fourth, that he will
not lie or deal falsely; nth, that he will not
use intoxicating liquors as a beverage.
When the King visits a temple on one of
their four sacred days, their custom demands
him to observe three rules in addition. First,
that he will not partake Of any food from
A. Ia