himself; but as it is written in hieroglyphics, it cannot be deciphered. All their holy books and religious formulas are written in a sacred language, called Pali, bearing a very close resemblance to the Sanskrit."

Thibet occupies a central portion of Asia, and forms a part of Independent Tartary, lying between 22° and 31 north latitude. It extends from the source of the Indus to the frontiers of China, and from Hindostan to the desert of Cobi, comprising a superficial area of about 400,000 square miles. The natives call the land Bhote, or Pue-koachim, signifying the Northern Land of Snow, arising, doubtless, from the severity of its climate, caused by the high altitude of much of its country, being the highest part of the continent and of the globe. Here arises the vast range of Himalaya mountains, the highest peaks of which are 29,000 feet above the level of the sea, and may be seen at a distance of two hundred miles. Here also rise the largest rivers in Asia-the Ganges, the Brahmapootra, the Irrawaddy, the Mecon, and others.

Of the more ancient religion of this country not very much is known, save that it was a rude form of that of the older Hindoo type. The people were ruder and less civilized than the Hindoos. More savagism existed in their manners, as well as in their religion. Since the early part of the Christian era Buddhism has exisited in that country; but it did not spread very rapidly at first, and is considerably modified from the Buddhism found in Ceylon, Burmah, Siam, and Japan. In this respect it is much changed by the different countries and peoples by whom it is embraced. The Christianity of Russia, Bulgaria, Greece, and Abyssinia is very unlike that found in England, Scotland, and the United States. That of Italy, Spain, Ireland, and South America bears but a slight resemblance to the Christianity of Germany, Sweden, Norway, and New England. Possibly religion may be like climates, in some respects, liable to change with latitude.

It will not be improper to take a brief view of the Buddhism of Thibet. The following sketch is drawn from the

more extended description in the "Progress of Religious Ideas:"

About the year 400 of our era a holy hermit is said to have went from India and established himself on a mountain in Central Thibet, which, in consequence, was afterward called Buddha La, signifying the Mountain of Buddha. People soon flocked to him in considerable numbers, and a band of disciples soon embraced his teachings and became attached to his person. He was regarded as so holy a man that after his death many believed that he was Buddha himself, who, after being dead a thousand years or more, came back to preach his gospel anew in that mountainous country. He taught his followers many forms of prayer, and left a book called, "The Body of Doctrine," ascribed to Buddha, and also works of his own, which were held in great veneration. These, like all the sacred books of eastern Asia, were written in a modified form of Sanskrit.

The religion of Buddha did not spread widely from the locality indicated until about the year 620 A. D., when Prince Srong Dean Gambo, the founder of Thibetian greatness, married a princess of China and a princess of Nepaul, both educated in that religion. They brought with them images of Fo-the Chinese name of Buddha-sacred books, and relics,. and caused numerous temples and shrines to be erected for the people to worship in. The king established himself on the sacred mountain of Buddha La, around which soon grew up the city of Lassa, the present capital of Thibet. He did so much for the establishment of the Buddhistic religion that people believed that the old saint who had settled and died there more than two hundred years before had come back to complete the work he had begun. Opposition, however, in the form of new, sects, and the revival of the old forms of the religion of the country, arose. A civil war, in consequence, broke out, and the new religion of Fo came near being crushed and driven out of the country. It suffered much vicissitude until near the close of the eleventh century, when the son of the reigning monarch became a warm convert to the religion of Fo, and his father made him superior of a monastery built for him. He afterward succeeded to the

throne, and was the first who united in the same person the two officers of high priest and king. This was the origin of that form of Buddhism called Lamaism, and he was the first grand lama. Lama means pastor of souls, and the term is applied to all Buddhistic priests in Thibet. Dalai Lama, or Grand Lama, means the Great Pastor, the Supreme Pontiff, who is at the head of all ecclesiastical and civil affairs in Thibet. The highest object of their worship is Shigemooni which is their variation of the name of Sakya-Muni, or Buddha. As the grand lama is supposed to be the representative of Fo, or Buddha, it was very easy to transfer the worship to him which was extended to the great saint himself, until it seemed that the grand lama took the place of God himself in having the highest worshipful honors paid to him. When the grand lama dies the first thing to be done is to.. find into what body his soul has passed. This can only be done by other lamas, who fast and pray and perform various ceremonies, that they may be guided aright in their investigations. Any one who thinks there are signs of the soul of the grand lama having passed into his family is expected to give information of the fact to the proper ecclesiastical authorities. The names of the candidates thus reported are written on little golden fish, which are shaken in an urn, and the first one taken out is proclaimed grand lama. He is carried to Lassa in triumphal procession, all the people prostrating themselves before him on his way. Disputes not unfrequently arise as to the succession, the same as has taken place with the popes in the Christian church; and bloody wars have arisen, causing the destruction of large numbers of lives. The grand lama is considered the vicegerent of God, the same as is the supreme pontiff at Rome. He has power to dispense God's blessings on whomsoever he will, and he is believed to be able to perform almost any kind of miracle that he wishes to. Fountains will flow at his command, flow. ers spring up where his feet have passed, and a celestial fragrance exhales from his person. There is no secret of the heart unknown to him, and he needs never to make inquiry relative to anything he wishes to know. Among his titles are the "Immaculate," the "Active Creator," the "Governor

of the World," "he, who has clairvoyant eyes," "the word which produced the world," etc. Thibet, China, the Mongols, and the Calmuck Tartars acknowledge his sway. Crowds of pilgrims come from all quarters to pay him homage and、 obtain his blessing. Princes prostrate themselves before him. He is seated on a splendid divan, and in the attitude of the sacred images. Princes and persons of high and low degree are treated alike by him. He never rises nor uncovers his head, nor salutes any one. He merely lays his hand upon the head of the worshiper, who is thereby supposed to obtain pardon for all his sins. Sometimes he distributes little

pieces of consecrated dough, which are used for amulets, to chase away evil spirits. At stated seasons he visits great theological establishments to expound the sacred books, and his explanations must be accepted as of divine authority. On state occasions he wears a yellow miter and a purple silk mantle, fastened on the breast with a clasp. In his hand he carries a long staff, in the form of a cross. Though Thibet is subject to China, the Chinese emperor acknowledges alle-. giance to the grand lama in all ecclesiastical matters.

The powerful hierarchy, of which the grand lama is the head, consists of various ranks and classes. A high lama is sent as nuncio to the court of China, and supported there. There is an order called Spiritual Princes of the Law and Masters of the Kingdom. These are the confidential advisers of the emperor. There are great numbers of theological institutions called lamaseries, very much like the monasteries in Christian countries. These are all of Hindoo origin, and grow out of the system so long common in that country for saints and anchorites to withdraw themselves from the world, with a vow of perpetual chastity and self-denial. The form of their sanctity attracted disciples, many of whom lived in grottoes or cells in the vicinity of their teacher, thus forming a brotherhood of saints. When the doctrines of Buddha were first promulgated great opposition was offered by the Brahmans, and the Buddhistic saints were almost forced to live together in such saintly brotherhood for self-protection. Thus the institution of monasteries and lamaseries became as thoroughly established and as orthodox as any part of the Buddhistic