a sect of heathen religious in the East Indies, who never marry, nor hold any thing in private property; but live on alms, and practise strange severities on themselves.

They are subject to a general, who sends them from one country to another to preach. They are, properly, a kind of penitent pilgrims; and are supposed to be a branch of the ancient Gymnosophists.

They frequent, principally, such places as are consecrated by the devotion of the people, and pretend to live several days together without eating or drinking. After having gone through a course of discipline for a certain time, they look on themselves as impeccable, and privileged to do anything; upon which they give a loose to their passions, and run into all manner of debauchery.