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About these Buddhist monasteries, he says : 'Through-
out the whole country there arernany large and small
temples buiit expensively and inngeniously of stone, lime
andwood. x x x Each temple is filled with innumerable
idols made of varicus minerals, metals and other ma-
terials. Some temples are covered with gold, silver
and copper, so that they look elegant and costly. In
each temple is a big idol, 4, 6, 8 to 10 fathoms in height
usually sitting on an elevated alter. One of these sit-
ting idols would even reach 20 fathoms or 120 feet
when standing upright. Under the seats of the idols
in some temples, big treasures of gold and silver have
been buried, also many rubies, precious stones and
other jewels have been put away in the highest tops of
some towers and pyramids and these things remain there
for always for the service of the gods.'
The writer, then continues, to speak about the life
of the monks. He says ' All monks, without any ex-
ception, are clad in bad (?) and common yellow linen
cloth; only a few principal ones had a red cloth over
the right shoulder. Their heads are shaved. The
most learned become priests, and from these priests the
chiefs of the temples are chosen, who are held in high
honour by the people. Marriage is forbidden to the
ecclesiastical persons under penalty of being burned.
Also conversation with women is forbidden, but
they may leave the priesthood, which is done by many
out of sensuality. But when tired of marriage they
may put on the priestly robes again, and even persons