________________
LIFE OF A MONK.
191 Burmese. As long as all the men of the country pass through the monasteries, the teachings of western missionaries can have but little power to shake the hold of Buddhism on the people.”
Among those who are fully recognised as monks, the Phon-gyee of “great glory” is distinguished, having been at least ten years a monk, and having proved The Phonhimself steadfast and self-denying. From this gyees. class the Sayah (head or abbot) is chosen. Beyond these is recognised the Provincial, overseeing a number of monasteries in a district, and the Sadaw, or royal teacher, of whom there are eight, forming a sort of supreme Burmese religious board. It is always possible to leave the monastery, in which point Buddhist monasteries differ from most others.
The life of a monk is an ideal one in many respects; food Life of a is supplied to monk. him, he has no sermons to prepare; he has few
UNUNARMARITUOTRAUREATURITOETAVILA outside religious rites to attend; and if he observes the cardinal precepts of Buddhism, he is continually accumulating merit. There is nothing in the admission or routine of the full monkhood which is not in essence contained in our chapters. Discipline is strictly maintained, the breaking of the prime commands being severely punished; unfrocking, expulsion, possibly stoning, are penalties sufficiently heavy. The condition of an expelled monk is pitiable : "no one may speak to him; no monk will take alms from him; he can neither buy nor sell; he is not allowed even to draw water from a well." If there is evil living or
Se
Nina
STATYBA BURMESE IMAGE OF GAUTAMA.
