“The layman who wishes for entrance to the Order must be at least eight years old before obtaining the novitiate, and at least twenty before receiving full ordination. On the day appointed, a chapter is held, of not less than ten monks, the president being of at least ten years’ standing. The monks forming the chapter sit on mats, in two rows, facing each other, the president being at the head of one row. The candidate, in lay dress, but carrying the three yellow robes of a mendicant, is introduced by his proposer (always a monk), makes a salutation to the president, and offers him a small present as a token of respect. He then three times asks for admission as a novice. ‘Have pity on me, lord; take these robes, and let me be ordained, that I may escape from sorrow and experience Nirvāna.’ The president then takes the bundle of robes, and ties them around the candidate’s neck, repeating, meanwhile, a formula of meditation on the perishable nature of the human body. The candidate then retires, and changes his dress, repeating the while a formula to the effect that, though he wears robes, he does so only out of modesty, and as a protection from heat, cold, etc. When he reappears clad as a mendicant, he kneels before the president, and repeats after him three times two well-known Buddhist formulas. The first of these is that called the ‘Three Refuges.’ “‘I go for refuge to the Buddha. “‘I go for refuge to the Law. “‘I go for refuge to the Order.’ “The other is called the ‘Ten Precepts,’ which are as follows: “‘1. I take the vow not to destroy life. “‘2. I take the vow not to steal. “‘3. I take the vow to abstain from impurity. “‘4. I take the vow not to lie. “‘5. I take the vow to abstain from intoxicating drinks, which hinder progress and virtue. “‘6. I take the vow not to eat at forbidden times. “‘7. I take the vow to abstain from dancing, singing, music and stage-plays. “‘8. I take the vow not to use garlands, scents, unguents or ornaments. “‘9. I take the vow not to use a high or broad bed. “‘10. I take the vow not to receive gold or silver.’ “The candidate then rises, pays respect to the president, and retires a _novice_. Here, for the novitiate, the ceremony ends.” RULES OF THE ORDER. Solid food is forbidden, except between sunrise and noon, and total abstinence from intoxicating drinks is required. The monks, or brothers of the order, usually get their food by begging from door to door; each usually carries his brown earthenware begging-bowl. He says nothing, but only stands, waiting, at the open door of the hut. If something is given him, he mutters a prayer for the giver, but if nothing, he passes on in silence.