1st, The _Brahmaciàri_, that is, the continent, the unmarried. 2d, The _Grahasta_, that is, the married. 3d, The _Vanaprasta_, that is, the hermits, the anchorets. To these belong, besides others, the _Muni_, or _Mauni_, that is, the silent, for they speak only very seldom. 4th, The _Bhikshu_, or begging monks, who live merely on alms. These are the most numerous of all[170]. To their sect or order belong those philosophical begging monks known under the name of _Talapoins_, who in the first century of the Christian æra emigrated from India, and introduced the religion of _Budha_, or _Gòdama_, in Pegu, Siam, China, and Japan. They believe neither in the Trinity of the Indians, that is, _Brahma_, _Vishnu_, and _Shiva_--nor in the goddess _Bhavani_, who represents nature personified; nor do they ever worship the Elements, to which the Brahmans pay divine honours under the symbols of various sacred animals. Their religious worship is somewhat less familiar to the senses. The highest deity to whom they pay divine honours is called _Budha_, _Shakya_, _Gòdama_, or _Amida_. These are pure Samscred appellations, which signify Mercury; for _Budha_ means as much as wise, skilful; _Shakya_, cunning, crafty, acute; _Gòdama_, a cowherd; _Amida_, immense. The opposer of the god _Gòdama_, or the wicked dæmon, they call _Dèvada_. They believe in the immortality of the soul, as well as in transmigration; are much attached to fasting and ablutions; read carefully the sacred books; live in a state of celibacy; and observe the beforementioned five commandments in the same manner as the Indian Budhists. This sect, who are extremely numerous, and who every where live by begging, have diffused themselves from Cape Comari to Thibet among the Calmucks, and even to Siberia[171].