Many of the former have four, six, and even eight arms. All these
divinities, Buddha himself not excepted, are made of wood, gilt
over, and painted with glazing colours.
In the Temple of Mercy we met with an adventure which was nearly
attended with unpleasant consequences. A priest, or bonze, handed
us some little tapers for us to light and offer to his divinity.
Herr von Carlowitz and myself had already got the tapers in our
hands, and were quite willing to afford him this gratification, when
an American missionary, who was with us, tore the tapers from our
grasp, and indignantly returned them to the priest, saying, that
what we were about to do was an act of idolatry. The priest took
the matter very seriously, and, instantly closing the doors, called
his companions, who hurried in from all sides, and abused us in the
most violent and vociferous fashion, pressing closer every instant.
It was with the greatest difficulty that we succeeded in fighting
our way to the door, and thus making our escape.
After this little fray, our guide conducted us to the dwelling of
the Holy--Pigs! {105} A beautiful stone hall is set apart for their
use, which hall these remarkable divinities fill, in spite of all
the care bestowed on them, with so horrible a stench, that it is
impossible to approach them without holding one's nose.
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