In Burma, in some temples, four past terrestrial Buddhas occupy the four sides of the temples (Yule, Cathay, i. 242).
In Burma, there is a great belief in spirits, both good and bad,—amongst others, the nat and the bilu. An attempt to reform Buddhism was made in 1863, by some of the chief phoungyes of Kern mendine. Like the Protestants of Christianity and the Brahmoists of Hinduism, the reformers seem to go back to their oldest books, or bedagat, the three series of which minutely describe the duties of priests and laity, and define the objects of faith. They condemned the lax practices of this degene rate age, such as priests wearing sandals, carrying umbrellas, and visiting religious theatrical shows. At the bottom of their reforms, insignificant as they appear, there was doubtless much puritan earnest ness. They called themselves Soolay Gandee,' Soolay meaning the great spirit to whom the pagoda in the centre of Rangoon is dedicated. The Buddhists of Burma are liberal almsgivers ; but the act of making the offering is the final individual merit, and the utilization of the gift is not regarded.
In Burma, the Buddhist priesthood is open to every orthodox believer. All that it enjoins is a life of purity, temperance, and truth. The h'poongyee is the priest. Every Burma boy be comes a hierophant, and during the most recep tive years of his life, remains under the discipline and control of the village b'poongyee, to whom the family authority is temporarily delegated. He is housed, clothed, and fed in the kyoung or monastery, and the parents are put to no trouble or expense throughout the whole period of his tuition. The h'poongyee is the master. As a rule, he is strict and peremptory, yet sufficiently attentive to the moral and physical well-being of his pupils as to earn their continuous attach ment and esteem. His teaching has a strong religious tinge, but it teaches discipline, diligence, and habits of punctual attendance. The h'poon gyee have ceased to be propagandists, and have undertaken the work of national instruction, and have all the elementary education in their power.
Tibet.—The Buddhist priests or Lamas of Tibet, Mongolia, and Manchuria acknowledge the Grand Lama of Tibet as their spiritual head. He is the spiritual and political ruler of Tibet, and is subordinate to the Emperor of China only. The Lama are chosen from all classes of society ; and in Mongolia, when there are two or three sons in a family, one of them must be dedicated to the service of Lamaism. They reside in monasteries, and are celibates, shave their heads, and wear a yellow robe. Their religious services resemble those of the Christian cathedrals. A human thigh-bone is hollowed out, and made into a musical pipe. The Lamas in the towns of Lama mian and Ye-hole are about 10,000 in number. Many of them are wanderers on the vast plains of Mongolia. Lama temples are very imposing (Gray, p. 134).
Sianz.—Between the Buddhists of Siam and Ceylon there has been much intercourse, and it is probable that almost identical doctrines are held in the two countries. During the efforts made by the Buddhist monks of Ceylon in the defence of their religion, and in their attacks on Christianity and on Jehovah, the king of Siam and one of the native chiefs of Kandy contributed largely towards the publication of the numerous tracts, pamphlets, and serials that were sent forth from the Buddhist printing presses of Ceylon. When Siam was visited by Sir John Bowring, a king was reigning, who in early life, when a late king had usurped the throne, had withdrawn from political squabbles to the safety and sanctity of the religious pre, fession, and was residing in a Buddhist temple, whence he was brought forth to occupy the throne, after the seclusion of a quarter of a century.
Cambodia.—It is stated by a writer in the Journal of the Indian Archipelago (No. xi. Nov. 1852, p. 606), that, in Cambodia, Buddha is not regarded as the first cause, the creator of all things ; but there prevails amongst them a pan theism, in which all nature is deified, but above all they place Buddha, and worship him daily.