[180] A great deal of nonsense has been written from time to time on the subject of the Burmese custom of _Shiko_. A Burman coming into the presence of a superior, a monk, a member of the royal house, an official, an elder of his family, adopts an attitude akin to kneeling, and places the palms of his hands together. Placing the palms of the hands together and slightly raising them is the essence of the attitude of respect. It is a charming and graceful salutation. In European schools boys are taught to adopt instead a weird caricature of a military salute or a debased imitation of the Indian salaam, which they do ungracefully and with the ugliest effect. I do not care very much for the prostration on the floor, and think it may be overdone. I used to make people of any standing sit uncomfortably on chairs. But what objection there can be to the hands slightly lifted in reverence, a natural and beautiful action, why it should be thought more dignified to pretend to cast dust on the head in salaaming, I cannot understand. The last outrage perpetrated in school is to teach boys to stand with arms folded across their chests in the presence of their elders and betters. [181] Heads of _Gaings_, that is, collections of monasteries; assistants to _Gaing-ôks_, heads of large monastic institutions. Roughly, I think, this is a fair interpretation. In speaking of these dignitaries, I abstain from the common practice of using the nomenclature of Christian Churches. The analogies are superficial. [182] In this instance a formal document setting forth the terms of the recognition. [183] A Hindu gentleman, orthodox but emancipated, after a tour in Burma, did me the honour of dining at my table. In the course of the evening he said to me that, after seeing Burma, he thought it much to be regretted that Buddhism had not maintained itself as the prevailing religion of India. [184] One patriarchal Deputy Commissioner made a law that carts entering his headquarter town, at least by the road which passed his house, should not creak. Every cart before long carried a small pot of oil, and at a respectful distance halted while the wheels were effectively greased. [185] _Thein_, a very sacred building, containing images of the Buddha, where ordination services are held. The land on which a _thein_ is built must be sacred in perpetuity and granted by the King. In modern practice grants of land for _theins_ are signed by the Lieutenant-Governor himself. [186] See p. 45 _et seq._ [187] A feast and presentation of gifts to monks. [188] A monk of high position. [189] This excellent example has, I am glad to say, been followed. Several gaols are regularly visited by monks, who exhort prisoners to repentance and a new life. [190] Then Commissioner of the Irrawaddy Division. [191] Government. [192] “The Pacification of Burma,” by Sir Charles Crosthwaite. (Arnold, 1912.) [193] Terraced spires over the gates. [194] See p. 106.