Page:Chinese Life in the Tibetan Foothills.djvu/135

Rh Ch‘i kuang chao p‘an (起光照盤), to make the light shine upon the platter. A platter is taken and the necessary charms burned and incantations made over it; it is then handed to the person seeking guidance and light, who is made to look therein, and he may be persuaded to believe that he sees something that will throw light on his path.

To call the immortals and question them as to the happiness or misery and final condition of the departed and as to whether they are able to help or hinder those at present living, is called kuan hsien (關仙).

To invite the spirits of departed ancestors, or deceased relatives, to enquire about their state in Hades is kuan hun chien ch‘in (關魂見親). This is done much in the same way as in the first and second items under this heading.

In curing the demon-possessed, shou fèng ta hsieh (收瘋打邪), the demoniac is brought into the presence of the practitioner of the art; a jar is brought into the room and the witch makes many mysterious motions with the fingers, hands and arms. These motions are spoken of as the five-thunder occultism (五雷訣) and the nine-ox strength (九牛𢴿)by these the demon is supposed to be got into the jar, which is then covered with a white cloth, taken out and buried or carried home by the practitioner. This is an art which demands high payment, and I am informed that in some cases cures have been effected. Lunacy is always attributed to demon possession, and the lot of this unfortunate class is a very hard one indeed. They are often chained to the bedpost or pillar of the house and starved to death, or stoned out of the town by boys, driven from house and home by their relatives, and if violent they are beaten to death. If good-natured they are teased and mocked. They wander about in rags and filth, sleep in temples and caves and are often addicted to many of the lowest vices of mankind.

To divine as to whether a sickness will be fatal or not is called p‘an tuan chi hsiung (判斷吉凶) The patient's head is covered, while charms, incense and paper are burned and the spirits besought to reveal their will regarding him.