Attendants bear gilt um-
brellas over him, and a
retinue of relatives and
friends carry his pareikaya
and offerings for the use of
the monastery. The par-
eikaya are the eight chattels,
to the possession of which the regular recluse {yahdn) is restricted. They
consist of the thingdn or monastic yellow robes, viz., the loin-cloth (thimbding),
upper cloth {egazt), wrapper (thingdn- dyi), and red girdle (kabdn) ; a needle (at),
wherewith to piece his clothing together, a hard-baked black earthen pot
(thabsit) in which to collect the morning dole of food, a filter (yezit) to strain
the drinking water clear of living things, and a razor (tkindon-dd) to shave the
head and face (excepting the eyebrows). The garments are of plain cloth,
without any cut, but torn into strips and joined up again (by the donors) in
commemoration of the primitive rule of piecing the garments together from
rags, as well as to deprive the cloth of value. The cloth is mostly cotton,
but silk and wool are also offered. The stuffs are dyed a bright ochre, with
chips of Jack-wood. By repeated washings the colour deepens to tan. These
varying shades produce a picturesque effect. The recluse customarily also
receives sandals to wear, a deer-skin to sit and sleep upon, a broom to sweep
his dwelling with, and a large palm-leaf fan, both for a shelter from the sun
and a screen from the sight
of womankind. The thabeit
is slung in a yellow cotton
net, and has a lacquerwork
stand and cover. In respect of
chattels, however, these primi-
tive tokens of privation have
sunk to a form. The recluses
have many changes of raiment
and the use of spacious dweUings




32. SHINLAUNG PAGEANT (BURMA PROPER),



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BURMA



with good furniture. In all other respects they rigidly observe the rule of
their life.
