2-982-605 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Sketches in China - the Consecration of a Buddhist Abbot at the Temple of Honam - drawn by our special artist and correspondent, 1858. 'The Abbot in scarlet and purple, [is] kneeling and presenting offerings to the gods, whilst the four priests are handing to him the dishes in which the offerings are placed. On each side are the monks, who every now and then go down and knock their foreheads on the ground, chanting the whole time. The altar has three wooden idols, painted to represent priests in red robes, whilst wax tapers are burning as in Roman Catholic churches...The Abbot wore a kind of rosary round his neck, and went through a variety of ceremonies before several other altars in different parts of this vast temple...After the Abbot was duly consecrated he went into a kind of throne-room, and received the congratulation of all his fellow-priests...there was a private repast for his friends, of which we were invited in the kindest manner to partake: indeed I may say that I never met with more politeness anywhere. An English gentleman long resident here informed me of the ceremony, and accompanied me there, no foreigners but ourselves being present'. From "Illustrated London News", 1858.