CHARMS. The use of charms, like that of amulets (q.v.), has been common in all religions, and their nature has been very varied. It has been found that " in the hills of Northern India and as far as Madras, an ap proved charm for getting rid of a disease of demoniacal origin is to plant a stake where four roads meet, and to bury grains underneath, which crows disinter and eat " (Westermarck). In Morocco, it is said, the cross serves as a charm against the evil eye. Dr. Westermarck thinks that the chief reason for this is that the cross " is regarded as a conductor of the baneful energy emanating from the eye, dispersing it in all the quarters of the wind and thus preventing it from injuring the person or object looked at." Among the Tibetan Buddh ists or Lamas great virtue is ascribed to the use of charms as a protection against evil spirits. One of the commonest charms is the repetition by monks of por tions of the sacred writings. One of the best known of the sacred formulae is " Om! mani padme, hum! " or " Om! the jewel in the lotos, ham! It is reputed to contain all happiness, knowledge, and capacity. " It is adorned with all sorts of mystic additions and inter pretations; the six syllables represent the six divisions of the world, and each has its special appointed colour, etc." Many written charms, mantras or dhAranis are
also in use. The words need not be intelligible to the common people. " Such sayings are attached to walls or are carried on the person. In ease of illness the person swallows such a charm, either by itself or mixed with some other ingredients. They have them reflected in a sacred mirror, which is commonly to be found in a temple; then the mirror is diligently washed, and the patient drinks the water which has been used for the purpose, and which is supposed to have absorbed the spirit of the formula " (Heckmann). Or the sacred words are written on rags, which are then hung up as flags. These prayer-flags are to be seen everywhere. A still more mechanical device is the prayer-cylinder. "The sacred formula (or a number of them) is printed on a long strip of paper rolled round the cylinder, which is enclosed in a box, and by means of a stick, which is the axle on which it revolves, it is fastened to a handle or in a case. Every turn of the cylinder sets the word in motion, and makes its wholesome influence operative." Sometimes wind or water is used to set the cylinder in motion. See H. Heckmann; E. Westermarck.