That Chinese are capable of enduring much for religion is to be seen by the long and toilsome pilgrimages untertaken by many, as also in the works of mortification of the flesh in which their zeal finds vent instead of in proselytism. On one occasion a few weeks ago I was witness to the mortifications of the flesh. The place was New Wang, a temple close to Ningpo, which has recently gained a high reputation for the piety of the inmates. At the time I entered, two priests were undergoing the operations of having the finger burned off. The way it was done is as follows: A string was tied tightly around the finger under the second knuckle; the hand was then surrounded by a ball of clay, and the fist doubled up, leaving one finger sticking out. Round this finger was tied sandal wood, which was lighted, and boiling and blazing resin and oil poured upon it. The person operated on sat in a chair, untied, with the burning hand on the altar. Noting prevented him from moving his hand at any moment. At any time he could have asked, and the torture would have been discontinued. I staid for an hour and a half witnessing this strange sight, all of which time gongs were beating and prayers beying [sic] said. Behind one of the sufferers stood an aged priest, his hands on the shoulders of the sufferer, a young, healthy looking man. From the hands of the old Bonze five fingers were missing, they having been burned off. I must confess that, though I am used to see operations, etc., without a shudder, I sickened at the sight of this needless pain and deformation of God’s image.–The Shanghai (China) Recorder.
[tags]Peninsular Courier and Family Visitant, August, 1867[/tags]