Mediaeval Sinhalese Art c7.134

Language: English

c7.134

A very large element of demonism or devil propitiation also enters into popular religion, and represents a survival of pre-Buddhist devil-dread; the rites, carried out by priests known as *Kaṭṭaḍiya* or *Yakdessā* (from *yaka*, a demon), are directed to the cure or infliction of disease by the aid of the demons.

Previous: c7.133
Next: c7.135
Up: c7