But what, I wonder, inquired dowager lady Chia, could be offered to this god?
Nothing of any GREat value, answered the Taoist matron, Ma. Exclusive of offerings of scented candles, several catties of scented oil can be added, each day, to keep the lantern of the Great Sea alight. This Great Sea lantern is the visible embodiment and Buddhistic representation of this divinity, so day and night we dont venture to let it go out!
For a whole day and a whole night, asked dowager lady Chia, how much oil is needed, so that I too should accomplish a good action?
there is really no limit as to quantity. It rests upon the goodwill of the donor, Ma, the Taoist matron, put in by way of reply. In my quarters, for instance, I have several lanterns, the gifts of the consorts of princes and the spouses of high officials living in various localities. The consort of the mansion of the Prince of Nan Au has been prompted in her beneficence by a liberal spirit; she allows each day forty-eight catties of oil, and a catty of wick; so that her GREat Sea lamp is only a trifle smaller than a water-jar. The spouse of the marquis of Chin Hsiang comes next, with no more than twenty catties a day. Besides these, there are several other families; some giving ten catties; some eight catties; some three; some five; subject to no fixed rule; and of course I feel bound to keep the lanterns alight on their behalf.
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