There perhaps is not a nation in the world so given to superstition as the Burmese. In Burma, omens and fortune-tellers can play a role in political decisions. Not only do they practise judicial astrology, and divination, and put faith in dreams, but they have besides an infinity of foolish and superstitious customs. The two influences of dogmatic religion and empiric superstition exist together in Burma as elsewhere, but are easily distinguished. The superstitions among the Burmese form no part of their religion, since Buddha has forbidden his followers to consult soothsayers, or put faith in omens, or, generally, to give themselves to any superstitious practice.