Book Title: Indian Antiquary Vol 23
Author(s): Richard Carnac Temple
Publisher: Swati Publications

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Page 226
________________ 214 THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY. [AUGUST, 1894. mother's womb. But if this is not done, then will the deceased be born as a dog, who will become mad and harm everybody, and then in the nGa-hböd compartment of Hell. If the flames be yellow, without any mixture of other colours, the deceased will be born in the region of the Yidags, for preventing which images of the Dhyani Buddha, Ratna Sambhava, surrounded by Nye-sras, and also images of Mañjûśri and of 'Sakya Muni surrounded by his disciples must be made. Then will the deceased be born as a Lama towards the south and will devote himself to religious purposes. If the flames be yellow in colour and burn furiously, then 9 Torma-brgya-tsa must be made, and charity extensively offered to the poor. Then the deceased will be born again in his own family. Failing this the deceased will be born in the region of the Yidags. If the flames be white and burn furiously, the deceased will be born as a Lha-ma-yin, and images of Mahâmâya (Yum-chhen-mo) and Amitîyas should be made. Then the deceased will be born in the Happy Paradise of Dewa-chan. If only Tshogs-rgya be performed, then the deceased will be born as a son of wealthy parents. If the fire burns furiously red, emitting sparks, the deceased will be born as a Lha-ma-yin, for preventing which dkön-brtsegs must be performed, and the Thos-grol must be read, and then the deceased will be born as a son of a blacksmith. If the fire burns furiously without any colour, then the deceased will be born as a Garuda towards the north, for preventing which images of Dön-yöd-grub-pa (Dhyani Buddha Amôghasiddhi), Nam-hjoms, sgrolma hjigs-pa brgyad-skyobs Man-lha (Dohna, the Defender from the Eight Dreads), “5 Man-lba (the God of Medicine) must be made, and the worship of Maitreya must be repeated. Then the deceased will be born as a son of a famous chief, or again in his, or her, own family. If the fire burns of a bluish-black colour, then gZan-ghdüs (i. e., the DO-Mnng) mtshanbrjod, Sangs-rgyas-mtshan-hum (The Handred Thousand Holy Names of Buddha). Then will the deceased be born as a chief. By doing these services here prescribed re-birth will be good in every case. O glorious result ! Sarba-manga-lam! All happiness !" The ashes of the paper are carefully collected in a plate, and are then mixed with elay to form one or more miniature chaityas, called sa-tschha. One of these is retained for the household altar, and the rest are carried to any hill near and there deposited under a projecting ledge of a rock, where they will not be directly exposed to the disintegrating rain. After the burning of this paper the lay-figure of the deceased is dismantled, and the clothes are presented to the Lamas, who carry them off and sell them to any purchasers available, and appropriate the proceeds. After the lapse of one year from a death it is usual to give a feast in honour of the deceased, and to have repeated the sMan-lha service of the Medical Buddhas. On the conclusion of this a widow, or widower, is free to re-marry. 18. Exorcism of Ghosts. A ghost returns and gives trouble, either on account of its inherent wickedness, or if the ghost be that of a rich man, it may come to see how his property is being disposed of. In either case its presence is noxious. It makes its presence felt in dreams, or by making some individual delirions, or temporarily insane. A ghost is disposed of by being burned. For this purpose a very large gathering of Lâmas is necessary, not less than eight, and the serviee of byin sregs, or burnt offering, is The Eight Dreads are: -Drend of Fire, Prison, Plunder, Water, Enemy, Elephant, Lion, and Snake.

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