Page:Record of the Buddhistic Kingdoms (Faxian, Giles).djvu/33

Rh covered with spotless drapery, etc. The King with all his ministers make their offerings according to rite. It may last for one, two, or three months, and is generally in the spring. The King, when the assembly is over, further bids all his ministers arrange offerings for presentation, which may last one, two, three, or five days. When all the offerings have been made, the King takes his own horse, saddle, and bridle, with those ridden by his prime minister and high officials; also much white cloth and all kinds of jewels, such as the Shamans require, and together with his ministers vows to give these things as alms (to the Shamans.) When they have been given as alms, they are redeemed from the priests with money. This country is mountainous and cold. With the exception of wheat no grain will grow and ripen. When the priests have “gathered in their harvest (or,