The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1903-06-14
SLAMS WHITE ELEPHANT.
Mistaken Notions as to How They Are
Regarded by the People.

From the Washington Star.
s There is a mistaken impression that
the white elephant, the shang phooul,
is worshipped by the Buddhists of Siam
as a deity" said a missionary who had
recently returned from the Orient. 1.-THE
Buddhists do not recognize a material
god in any form and are shocked at the
American idea that they worship an ele-
plant. There is. however, some approach
to worship in their reverence for white
animals, particularly the elephant, mon
key, dove, sparrow, stork or swan. The
reason of this reverence is that under the
Buddhist religion each successive Bud
dha is supposed to have passed through
a series of transmigrations and in turn
occupied the forms of white animals of
a certain class. The white elephant ranks
first because it is believed to be the tenn
porary dwelling place of the soul of some
great parsonage, a kim or a great gen.
eral.
The wisdom and knowledge OF this
great parsonage are supposed to be re-
tanned while in this state, and the ele-
plant therefore knows what Is best for
those around it. Its presence thus pre-
vents national calamity and promotes
peace and prosperity. So It is customary
when white elephant is found to dec
crate 1t, bestow presents on 1t and make
1t in every way a favorite of the throne
when an elephant of this sort is dis
covered prayers are ordered in all the
temples, while the hunters go out to
capture it. The bearer of the message
announcing its capture has his mouth.
ears and nostrils stuffed with gold, and
the one who first discovered 1t is literally
rewarded. The elephant is received with
10 wi n
tai. and path is curt through the forest
for its convenient passage. At every stop
ping place attendants sing and dance, play
musical Northumberland give exhibitions
of skill for the entertainment of the
elephant.
Seventy miles from the capital the
king his court, priests and great person
ages with musicians and cannon, meet
the elephant and conduct him to his sta
BILE, which is a palace. The ceremonies
continue for a week or ten Gays, and con-
sist of interesting details. He is knighted,
anointed, his tusks are capped with gold
and he is given a title. Festivities and
entertainments continue all this time In
his honor and at the expiration of the
allotted time he is conducted to his mag
nihcent apartments within the kings pal
ace. Attendants are given him and when
he Is given bath he is famed with fans
VI BOiQ. PIE AoDSS dAC hoNO Iva AiAiii,
and there is nothing that the ingenuity
of the magnificent Orient can suggest to
add to the glory of his surroundings
that Is omitted.
''These ceremonies no doubt, have
caused the impression to exist In Chris
tian countries that the elephant is wor-
shipped as a god. Should the elephant die
Of indigestion and establishment during
the period of carnival, as once happened,
there Is deep mourning and the tusks
and skin are preserved as relics. During
life the white elephant is the leading fig
ure in all state occasions and is stationed
at the inner gate Of the palace At all
times his food is selected with the great
est care and he is given the most tender
sprouts the country affords, grass, sugar
cane plantains and wheat made into
cakes. and his drink is highly perfumed."