Зображення сторінки
PDF
ePub

miraculously delivered upon the banks of a lake of the most beautiful babe that ever was created, without any assistance or sense of pain, (Spenser) but having no milk wherewith to suckle him, and being unable to bear the thoughts of seeing him die, she jumped into the lake, where she set him upon the bud of a flower, which blowed of itself for his more commodious reception, and afterwards inclosed the infant as it were in a cradle.”—(FATHER TACHARD. Second Voyage to Siam, Book 5.)

"As he was sitting under a tree, he was glorified in a very signal manner, and adored by angels, who came down from heaven for no other purpose. His brother Thevatat, jealous of his glory, conspired his downfall, and declared open war against him, with all the brute creation. Sommona-Codom defended himself manfully by virtue of his good works; but nothing was so great a support and protection to him as his strict practise of the tenth commandment, which comprehends the exercise of charity, without which he must have inevitably been vanquished, notwithstanding he was endowed with all the good works contained in the nine other injunctions. The guardian angel of the earth, used her utmost endeavours to prevail on the enemies of Sommona-Codom to adore him as a god; but at last finding them obstinate and perverse, and inattentive to her repeated remonstrances, she compressed her watery locks, and poured forth such a deluge as totally destroyed

them."-PICART.

Peopling of the World in the Belief of Laos.

"THE people of Laos (Laies or Langiens) believe that the heavens existed from all eternity; that they are situate above sixteen terrestrial worlds, the pleasures whereof are justly proportioned to their respective elevation. The earth, about 18,000 years before Xacca or Xequin, was dissolved and reduced to water. A mandarin of divine

extraction, or at least something more than human, descended from the highest of the sixteen worlds, and with a stroke of his scymetar cut asunder a certain flower which swam on the surface of the water, from which sprang up a beauteous young damsel, with whom the pious mandarin was so passionately enamoured that he determined to marry her: but her inflexible modesty rendered his most endearing addresses fruitless and ineffectual. The mandarin was more generous and just than to force her to compliance; and notwithstanding it was the most disagreeable thing in nature to him to live alone, without any relations and without issue, he checked the violence of his inclination, and behaved with the utmost decency and respect. Unsuccessful as he was, however, he planted himself at an awful distance directly opposite to this inexorable beauty. He gazed upon her with all the tenderness of the most affectionate lover.

By the miraculous influence of his amorous glances, she conceived, and became the joyful mother of a numerous offspring, and yet still remained a pure and spotless virgin. In process of time the virtuous mandarin thought himself in duty bound to furnish his numerous family with all the conveniences of life, and for that purpose created that beautiful variety of beings which now replenish the earth. Afterwards he returned to heaven, but could not however gain admittance therein till he had first done penance, and duly qualified himself for that happy state.

"Before this restoration of the earth to its primitive state, four deities condescended to govern and preside over it. Three of them, weary at last of the important charge, resigned their guardianship, and went higher towards the north, to taste the uninterrupted joys of solitude and retirement. Xaca, the sole remaining god, after instructing mankind in the duties of religion, fully deter mined to attain to the highest pitch of perfection, sunk at last into Nireupan, or the everblessed state of annihilation."-PICART.

Siamese Heaven and Hell. "SOMMONA-CODOM is likewise in Nireupan. According to the Siamese (M. de la Loubère and Pere Tachard), there are nine abodes of bliss, and nine of sorrow. The former are over our heads, and the latter under our feet. The higher each mansion the more delightful and joyous; the lower, the more dismal and tremendous insomuch that the happy are exalted far above the stars, as the unhappy are sunk 10,000 fathoms deep below the earth. Those who inhabit the higher realms are called Thenada, the dwellers below, Pii, the men of earth, Manout.

"When a soul has once attained to so high a pitch of perfection, as that no new enjoy

ments here on earth, how refined soever, are suitable to the dignity of its nature, the

Siamese think that it is then freed from all

future transmigrations. From that happy moment it appears no more in this world, but rests for ever in Nireupan; that is to say, in a state of perfect inactivity and impassibility. In short, according to their notion, consummate happiness and the ineffable joys of Paradise entirely consist in this sort of annihilation. The remarkable passage ascribed to Musæus by the ancients, "that virtue will hereafter be rewarded with an eternal ebriety," so nearly resembles that of the impassibility of the soul, that these two opinions may be resolved into one, without the least difficulty or forced construction." -PICART.

Siamese Hermits.

"THE Siamese say that there are certain anchorets who live retired in the most solitary deserts, and are perfect masters of all the secrets of human nature. They perfectly understand the art of making gold, silver, and the most precious metals: there is nothing so wonderful and surprising but what they can effect with the utmost ease. They assume what forms they please, and make themselves immortal; for they are well

skilled in all the arts which are necessary for the prolongation of life. They cheerfully however resign it to God from one thousand years to another, by voluntarily sacrificing themselves on a funeral pile, reserving only one of their tribe to raise up those that are dead, by virtue of his magical incantations. It is as dangerous as it is difficult to meet with these marvellous hermits; and the lives of such as do, are in apparent danger of being lost."-PICART.

Descent of fallen Souls compared to the

Fall of the Ganges.

the manner in which souls always descend AN Indian poet, endeavouring to illustrate into bodies, one more imperfect than another, in proportion to their deviating from the dictates of reason, compares them to the descent of the river Ganges, "which," says he, "fell first from the highest heavens into Chorkam; from thence on the top of Issouren; after that, on the celebrated Mount Ima; from thence on the earth; from that into the sea, and from thence at last into Padalam, that is, into hell."-Père Bouchet. Pi

CART.

Japanese Penitents.

"CERTAIN Japanese penitents make it their duty to pass over several high and almost inaccessible mountains into some of the most solitary deserts, inhabited by an order of anchorites, who, though almost void of humanity, commit them to the care and conduct of such as are more savage than themselves. These latter lead them to the brinks of the most tremendous precipices, habituate them to the practice of abstinence, and the most shocking austerities, which they are obliged to undergo with patience, at any rate, since their lives lie at stake; for if the pilgrim deviates one step from the directions of his spiritual guides, they fix him by both his hands to the branch of a tree, which stands on the brink of a precipice, and there leave him hanging till, through faintness, he quits

his hold of the bough and drops. This is, however, the introduction only to the discipline they are to undergo; for in the sequel, after incredible fatigue and a thousand dangers undergone, they arrive at a plain surrounded with lofty mountains, where they spend a whole day and night with their arms across, and their face declined upon their knees. This is another act of penance, under which, if they show the least symptoms of pain, or endeavour to shift their uneasy posture, the unmerciful hermits whose province it is to overlook them, never fail with some hearty bastinadoes to reduce them to their appointed situation. In this attitude the pilgrims are to examine their consciences, and recollect the whole catalogue of their sins committed the year past, in order

way, and the poor penitent is dashed to
pieces at the bottom of the precipice. Such
as escape through a sincere confession, pro-
ceed farther to pay their tribute of divine
adoration to the deity of the place. After
they have gratified their father confessor's
trouble, they resort to another pagod, where
they complete their devotions, and spend se-
veral days in public shows and other amuse-
ments."—PICART. Acosta. De Bry. Purchas.

Priest of Manipa.

"MANIPA, the goddess of the people (Tartars) of Tanchuth (called Lassa, or Boratai, or Barantola), has nine heads, which form a kind of pyramid. A bold resolute young fellow, prompted by an enthusiastic rage, like him who cries Amoc amongst the Indians, and drest in armour, flies round about the city, upon some certain days in the year, like a madman, and kills every one he meets in honour of the goddess. This young enthusiast is called Phut or Buth."-PICART.

Fountain of the Fairies.

to confess them. After this strict exami-
nation, they march again till they come to a
steep rock, which is the place set apart by
these savage monks to take the general con-
fession of their penitents; on the summit of
this rock there is a thick iron bar, about three
ells in length, which projects over the belly
of the rock, but is so contrived, as to be
drawn back again, whenever it is thought
convenient. At the end of this bar hangs
a large pair of scales, into one of which these
"In the journal of Paris in the reigns of
Charles VI. and VII., it is asserted that the
monks put the pilgrim, and in the other a
counterpoise, which keeps him in equilibrio; Maid of Orleans, in answer to an interro-
after this, by the help of a spring, they push gatory of the doctors whether she had ever
the scales off the rock, quite over the pre-assisted at the assemblies held at the foun-
cipice. Thus hanging in the air, the pilgrim tain of the fairies near Domprein, round
is obliged to make a full and ample confes- which the evil spirits dance? confessed that
sion of all his sins, which must be spoken so
she had, at the age of twenty-seven, often
distinctly, as to be heard by all the assist-repaired to a beautiful fountain in the coun-
ants at this ceremony; and he must take try of Lorraine, which she named the good

particular care not to omit or conceal one single sin, to be stedfast in his confession, and not to make the least variation in his account: for the least diminution or concealment, though the misfortune should prove more the result of fear than any evil intention, is sufficient to ruin the penitent to all intents and purposes; for if these inexorable hermits discern the least prevarication, he who holds the scales gives the bar a sudden jerk, by which percussion the scale gives

fountain of the fairies of our Lord."-Fa-
bliaux, by ELLIS and WAY. Le Grand.

wwwwww

Identity.

"CHAQUE individu, considéré separément, differe encore de lui-même par l'effet du tems; il devient un autre, en quelque manière, aux diverses époques de sa vic. L'enfant, l'homme fait, la vieillard sont comme autant d'étrangers unis dans une seule per

[merged small][ocr errors][merged small]

Siamese Heaven and Hell. "SOMMONA-CODOM is likewise in Nireupan. According to the Siamese (M. de la Loubère and Pere Tachard), there are nine abodes of bliss, and nine of sorrow. The former are over our heads, and the latter under our feet. The higher each mansion the more delightful and joyous; the lower, the more dismal and tremendous: insomuch that the happy are exalted far above the stars, as the unhappy are sunk 10,000 fathoms deep below the earth. Those who inhabit the higher realms are called Thenada, the dwellers below, Pii, the men of earth, Manout.

"When a soul has once attained to so high a pitch of perfection, as that no new enjoy ments here on earth, how refined soever, are suitable to the dignity of its nature, the

Siamese think that it is then freed from all future transmigrations. From that happy moment it appears no more in this world, but rests for ever in Nireupan; that is to say, in a state of perfect inactivity and impassibility. In short, according to their notion, consummate happiness and the ineffable joys of Paradise entirely consist in this sort of annihilation. The remarkable passage ascribed to Musæus by the ancients, "that virtue will hereafter be rewarded with an eternal ebriety," so nearly resembles that of the impassibility of the soul, that these two opinions may be resolved into one, without the least difficulty or forced construction." -PICART.

Siamese Hermits.

"THE Siamese say that there are certain anchorets who live retired in the most solitary deserts, and are perfect masters of all the secrets of human nature. They perfectly understand the art of making gold, silver, and the most precious metals: there is nothing so wonderful and surprising but what they can effect with the utmost ease. They assume what forms they please, and make themselves immortal; for they are well

skilled in all the arts which are necessary for the prolongation of life. They cheerfully however resign it to God from one thousand years to another, by voluntarily sacrificing themselves on a funeral pile, reserving only one of their tribe to raise up those that are dead, by virtue of his magical incantations. It is as dangerous as it is difficult to meet with these marvellous hermits; and the lives of such as do, are in apparent danger of being lost."-PICART.

wwww

Descent of fallen Souls compared to the
Fall of the Ganges.

the manner in which souls always descend AN Indian poet, endeavouring to illustrate into bodies, one more imperfect than another, in proportion to their deviating from the dictates of reason, compares them to the descent of the river Ganges, "which," says he, " fell first from the highest heavens into from thence on the top of Issouren; after that, on the celebrated Mount Ima; from thence on the earth; from that into the sea, and from thence at last into Padalam, that is, into hell."-Père Bouchet. Pi

Chorkam;

[merged small][ocr errors][merged small]

"CERTAIN Japanese penitents make it their duty to pass over several high and almost inaccessible mountains into some of the most solitary deserts, inhabited by an order of anchorites, who, though almost void of humanity, commit them to the care and conduct of such as are more savage than themselves. These latter lead them to the brinks of the most tremendous precipices, habituate them to the practice of abstinence, and the most shocking austerities, which they are obliged to undergo with patience, at any rate, since their lives lie at stake; for if the pilgrim deviates one step from the directions of his spiritual guides, they fix him by both his hands to the branch of a tree, which stands on the brink of a precipice, and there leave him hanging till, through faintness, he quits

his hold of the bough and drops. This is, however, the introduction only to the discipline they are to undergo; for in the sequel, after incredible fatigue and a thousand dangers undergone, they arrive at a plain surrounded with lofty mountains, where they spend a whole day and night with their arms across, and their face declined upon their knees. This is another act of penance, under which, if they show the least symptoms of pain, or endeavour to shift their uneasy posture, the unmerciful hermits whose province it is to overlook them, never fail with some hearty bastinadoes to reduce them to their appointed situation. In this attitude the pilgrims are to examine their consciences, and recollect the whole catalogue of their sins committed the year past, in order to confess them. After this strict examination, they march again till they come to a steep rock, which is the place set apart by these savage monks to take the general confession of their penitents; on the summit of this rock there is a thick iron bar, about three ells in length, which projects over the belly of the rock, but is so contrived, as to be drawn back again, whenever it is thought convenient. At the end of this bar hangs a large pair of scales, into one of which these monks put the pilgrim, and in the other a counterpoise, which keeps him in equilibrio; after this, by the help of a spring, they push the scales off the rock, quite over the precipice. Thus hanging in the air, the pilgrim is obliged to make a full and ample confession of all his sins, which must be spoken so distinctly, as to be heard by all the assistants at this ceremony; and he must take particular care not to omit or conceal one single sin, to be stedfast in his confession, and not to make the least variation in his account: for the least diminution or concealment, though the misfortune should prove more the result of fear than any evil intention, is sufficient to ruin the penitent to all intents and purposes; for if these inexorable hermits discern the least prevarication, he who holds the scales gives the bar a sudden jerk, by which percussion the scale gives

way, and the poor penitent is dashed to pieces at the bottom of the precipice. Such as escape through a sincere confession, proceed farther to pay their tribute of divine adoration to the deity of the place. After they have gratified their father confessor's trouble, they resort to another pagod, where they complete their devotions, and spend several days in public shows and other amusements."-PICART. Acosta. De Bry. Purchas.

Priest of Manipa.

"MANIPA, the goddess of the people (Tartars) of Tanchuth (called Lassa, or Boratai, or Barantola), has nine heads, which form a kind of pyramid. A bold resolute young fellow, prompted by an enthusiastic rage, like him who cries Amoc amongst the Indians, and drest in armour, flies round about the city, upon some certain days in the year, like a madman, and kills every one he meets in honour of the goddess. This young en

thusiast is called Phut or Buth."-PICART.

Fountain of the Fairies.

"In the journal of Paris in the reigns of Charles VI. and VII., it is asserted that the Maid of Orleans, in answer to an interrogatory of the doctors whether she had ever assisted at the assemblies held at the fountain of the fairies near Domprein, round which the evil spirits dance? confessed that she had, at the age of twenty-seven, often repaired to a beautiful fountain in the country of Lorraine, which she named the good fountain of the fairies of our Lord."-Fabliaux, by ELLIS and WAY. Le Grand.

Identity.

"CHAQUE individu, considéré separément, differe encore de lui-même par l'effet du tems; il devient un autre, en quelque manière, aux diverses époques de sa vic. L'enfant, l'homme fait, la vieillard sont comme autant d'étrangers unis dans une seule per

« НазадПродовжити »