Page:The Chinese Repository - Volume 01.djvu/301

 a note, saying, that this third precept does not apply to those who live at home, in the same sense. It only interdicts those not included among wives and concubines. The fourth interdict forbids, not only saying what is false, but also all bad language calculated to corrupt or injure others; scolding, tale-bearing, &c.

The twenty-four "insipid regulations," as Mr. Neumann calls them, which form the second Book of his catechism are divided into sections which are numbered. We subjoin the heads of the chapters,—"intended to give dignity and inspire respect."


 * 1. Respect to be paid to the great Shamans.
 * 2. Duties to a teacher (or Guru).
 * 3. On going out with a master.
 * 4. Behaviour in public, and
 * 5. At the public table.
 * 6. Concerning the performance of worship.
 * 7. On hearing the law.
 * 8. On studying the sacred Books.
 * 9. On entering the halls of a monastery.
 * 10. Concerning behaviour,on entering the hall for worship.
 * 11. On the transaction of business.
 * 12. On bathing.
 * 13. On entering a privy.
 * 14. On sleeping
 * 15. On sitting round a fire.
 * 16. On behaviour in the sleeping room.
 * 17. On visiting a nunnery.
 * 18. On going to people's houses.
 * 19. On begging for food.
 * 20. On going among the multitude.
 * 21. On going to the market.
 * 22. In nothing, to act for one's self, but to ask permission.
 * 23. On going to a distance or travelling.
 * 24. Concerning utensils and vestments.

Under these twenty-four heads or chapters are many things silly, trivial, mean, and disgusting; neither conferring dignity, nor respectability on the contrivers or performers. Such as;—you must not call a great Shaman by his name; you must not listen by stealth to a great Shaman explaining the law; you must not speak of his faults; you must not sit, but rise up when you see a great Shaman passing by; you must not enter the master's door without thrice making a noise by smacking your fingers; you shall look upon a Hoshang priest as if you saw Budha himself; when you wash your face you must not use much water; you must not blow your nose, nor spit in a temple, in clean rooms, or on the clean ground, or in clean water; you must not laugh much; if you do laugh aloud or yawn, you must hide your mouth with your sleeve; must not form a friendship with a young Shaman boy; whenever you close your hands in prayer you must not let your ten fingers be in disorder; must not put your fingers in your nose; when hearing the law, you must not spit nor cough aloud; you must not blow the dust off the sacred books with your