Math
Math [1]
the residence of a monastic community among the Hindus. It consists of a number of buildings, including a set of husts or chambers for the Mahaot or superior, and his resident Chdelas or disciples; a temple sacred to the deity whom they worship, or the Samadh, or shrine of. the founder of the sect, or some eminent teacher; and one or more sheds or buildings for the accommodation of the mendicants or travellers who are constantly visiting the Mat'h, both ingress and egress being free to all. The number of permanent pupils in a Mat'h varies from three or four to thirty or forty; besides whom there is also a considerable number of outdoor members. Most of the Mat'hs have a small endowment of land, which they either let at a fixed rental, or cultivate on their own account. Besides this they often receive generous contributions from lay votaries, alms gathered by members who go out to seek them, and the profits arising from traffic covertly carried on.
