ABSTRACT
Monks and nuns, who are very numerous, are also much respected by the Thibettans. The monasteries are very large and there are many of them; each is ruled by at least one Lamà and another monk who holds the office of Ker-Koo [Ge-kö, provost], which means that he attends to all correspondence, sees that the rules are absolutely obeyed, and superintends punishments. There are four grades of Thibettan monks. The first are Lamàs; the second are Rangiambà, or doctors and teachers who, after Studying for twelve years in some monastery, which is also a university, and holding many public disputations, are at last promoted to be doctors. They rank immediately after the Lamàs and take a prominent place in the temples, as they are not only learned in matters of law and religion, but in prayers and the ritual to be observed in sacrifices and orations which take place several times a day in their temples. The third grade are the Ke-long, who have not only taken monastic vows, but far more severe ones. They swear to their Lamà to preserve absolute chastity, to obey him implicitly, and take so strict a vow of poverty that they may possess nothing, and must beg their food day by day. They are only permitted to have one garment, which must be a gift, and one dish for food and drink, and may only accept enough for one day. It is true this is not strictly observed. They also swear not to touch any intoxicating liquor, or smoke tobacco or eat garlic, and various other things. They are only allowed one meal a day, so the Ke-long eat no supper but only drink a little cià or some other liquor. They must pray several times a day and make sacrifices. They wear a yellow cap shaped like a mitre and a yellow robe under the red cloak worn by all the priesthood. The Lamàs and the Rangiambás usually take the rank of Ke-long and wear the mitre. The Trabà, also called Zunbà, are the fourth class of monks, who have not yet taken any degree or become ordained monks. This fourth class is again divided into three classes, which include an infinite number of Trabá. The first are those who have not studied in any university, either from incapacity or poverty; or who having studied were unable to pass the examinations. The second (they are very numerous) are those who are beginning to study in their own monastery, or have begun their studies in a monastery-university, which as I have already said, last for at least twelve years. The third class are mere boys who are taught to read, write, and learn the prayers by heart which are recited in their temples every day. If any of the monks of the three inferior grades are regular in attending services, honest and well conducted, they can in time be admitted into the class of the Ke-long and thus enter into the third class. 9
