Buddhism in its connexion with Brahmanism and Hinduism and in its contrast with Christianity . d overagain, invariably concluded by a repetition of the in-evitable six-syllabled formula. This they repeatedvery rapidly, pronouncing it as usual, Om mani-pammeHum, and addino- the mvstical svllable HrTs. Theirchanting was accompanied by an incessant agitation oftheir Damaru or sacred drum, wliich I was able to pur-chase. It is shaped like two hemispheres, joined on theirconvex sides, and is encircled by sacred shells. It issounded by means of buttons attached to two pendulousstrips of leather. The
Buddhism in its connexion with Brahmanism and Hinduism and in its contrast with Christianity . d overagain, invariably concluded by a repetition of the in-evitable six-syllabled formula. This they repeatedvery rapidly, pronouncing it as usual, Om mani-pammeHum, and addino- the mvstical svllable HrTs. Theirchanting was accompanied by an incessant agitation oftheir Damaru or sacred drum, wliich I was able to pur-chase. It is shaped like two hemispheres, joined on theirconvex sides, and is encircled by sacred shells. It issounded by means of buttons attached to two pendulousstrips of leather. The sound made by these drums isout of all proportion to their size. It may be heard ata great distance, and is thought to be highly efficaciousin frightening away evil spirits, who dislike loud noises ^ This is a great Tibetan snint, author of a hundred thousand songs.^ Translated for me by Mr. Sarat Chandra Das, who was mycompanion during part of my sojourn at Darjiling. DAILY CHANTING OF PRAYERS. 3^5 of all kinds. Here is an exact representation of tliesacred drum now in my possession :—. Again, Dr. Eitel (Lectures, iii.) mentions a manual ofdaily prayer used by Northern Buddhists, which showsthat striking words are sometimes chanted, though theymay be in Sanskrit, and therefore unintelligible to thosewho repeat them. For instance, the following :— May all the Buddhas abide in me, instruct and en-lighten me with knowledge and perfection, free me,deliver me, cleanse me, purify me ; and may the wlioleuniverse be set free (Sarva-tathagata mam samavasantubuddhya siddhya bodhaya vibodhaya mocaya vimocayasodhaya visodhaya samantam mo6aya)! c 0 386 FORMULAEIES OF PRAYER. Before, therefore, concluding this Lecture we mustacknowledge, in fairness to the inhabitants of Tibet,that much of the spirit of religion may be mingled withtheir superstitions. The words of their prayers are notmerely repeated by machinery, written on paper, andinscribed on rocks and stones. The voices of men an
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