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80 BIRMAH.
conformity. They exhibit, in matters of religion,
just that state of mind and that exterior deportment
which might be expected from a people, among whom
secular authority claims dominion over the free exercise
of conscience. The despot of the realm by one
word could annihilate Boodhism, with all its monumental
memorials and imagery, and with the same
ease could ordain the observance of a new religion.
"The days of public worship are pointed out by
the change, the first quarter, the full, and the last
quarter of the moon.* Those of the full and new
moon are observed with more general attention. The
grand annual festival happens at the beginning of their
year, about March. During three days, religious
prostrations, music and dancing, masquerades, pugilism,
throwing water upon one another, puppet-shows,
and comic scenes, make up the festive jumble. Religious
duties consist in building pagodas and ornamenting
them with gold leaf; in forming large and small
images of Gautama; in erecting monasteries, zayats,
and bridges; in digging tanks; in supporting the
priesthood by donations of food, cloth, &c. ; in prostrations
before pagodas and images, and in presenting
before them lighted candles, clusters of flowers, um-
brellas of various descriptions, rice, and fruits; in
erecting high poles, and suspending long flags on their
tops ; in casting bells, and hanging them near their
pagodas ; or contributing to any of these objects ; in
attention to the recitations of the priests, and when-
ever an offering is made, expressing a wish that the
merits of it may be enjoyed. The use of the bells is,
to proclaim to the celestial regions the fact of present-
The four quarters of the moon are, in like manner, festival
days among the Cingalese.