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Colonel Henry Yule – The Book of Ser Marco Polo - The flying Baxitae
Identifier
024406
Type of Spiritual Experience
Background
A description of the experience
quoted by Colonel Henry Yule – The Book of Ser Marco Polo 1926
[Friar Ricold mentions] certain men whom the Tartars honour above all in the world, viz. The Baxitae (i.e. Bakhshis], who are a kind of idol-priests. These are men from India, persons of deep wisdom, well-conducted, and of the gravest morals. They are usually acquainted with magic arts, and depend on the counsel and aid of demons; they exhibit many illusions, and predict some future events. For instance, one of eminence among them was said to fly; the truth was (as it proved) that he did not fly but did walk close to the surface of the ground without touching it; and would seem to sit down without having substance to support him.