ABSTRACT
I Must now describe the singular funeral rites practised by the Thibettans. They never bury the dead as is the custom among Christians and Mahomedans, indeed they abhor the idea that a body should be devoured by worms and become putrid. When there is a death the relations consult the Cioo-Kiong (Official soothsayer) as to the funeral. If the family is rich the body is ordered to be burnt, as is the custom of the pagans of Asia (meaning India). This is, however, very costly in Thibet as a large number of monks must be invited who receive large donations. Or the body is carried to the top of one of the mountains they regard with veneration, and after cutting it open is left to be devoured by eagles or other beasts of prey. This is always done with the bodies of monks. People who cannot even afford the expense of such funerals are bid by the Cioo-Kiong to take the body to a place dedicated for the purpose called Tur-tro, where it is cut into small pieces and given to the dogs which congregate there in troops. The very poor throw their dead into some river to be eaten by the fish.
