The Colfax chronicle., 1888-11-17

UHlO edCu reScululco u utiSh nAAA' -, "
and shape, built of rough stones.
heaped without mortar of any kind,
and on account of the strong winds and
terrific storms each has only one or two
apertures to admit light and air; on the
fat roof are placed piles of stones to
support a small flagstaff, from which
is suspended strong rope strung with
scraps of religious paper and colored
cloths stamped or inwrought with sa-
cred texts from the Buddhist scriptures
for all the world like the tail Of a kite
stretching to neighboring roof, and
supposed to act as a charm against MI
asma, walking ghosts and evil spirits.
The Thibetians are pure Mongolians:
they have the oblique small black eye.
the cone-shaped head, the high cheek
bones, the fat nose, wide mouth, and
tawny skin of the Turanian family. But
unlike the Chinese, their figures are
light, elastic and symmetrical; their
young men and women have much more
attractive expressions, owing no doubt
to their open and generous dispositions.
They love music, and everywhere they
are heard singing, chanting or hum
ming. the wild, plaintive Thibetian airs,
which are more rhythmic than those OF
the Chinese.
Not only is there in Thibet Delai
Lama, but there are several Teshu
Lamas or semi-incarnations of Buddha
These act as vice-gerents of the Delai
Lama, or Pure Incarnation, in the
provinces of Thibet. and receive the
homage and offerings suitable to a
semi-deity.
| The great question of questions in
Thibet is to find in what babe or child
the pure spirit of Buddha has become
re-incarnate. The first condition is
that the mother of this extraordinary
infant should be one who before mar
rage has practiced the most austere
forms of penance, fasting and prayer.
and that the father should be man
of equal piety and faith. The babe
itself must show the five supernatural
marks on its body: a crescent mark on
its forehead, dimple in its chin.
bright glistening eyes, red spot on
its stomach and similar mark on Its
right foot Every male infant born in
in this strange country is subjected to
the strictest scrutiny.
When several such babes have been
heard Of, they with their parents are
escorted to the city Of Lhassa and con-
Quoted to the monastery OF Lha~Brang,
or Sanctified House. This building is
regarded as the center and heart ol
Thibet, from which all the religious
life, as well as the main roads, radiate.
It is not merely religious center, foI
here are the seats of the civil, political
and judicial officials of Thibet. Here
the chief Lamas of all the monasteries
meet, and after week of fasting
prayer and meditation, each in his ap
pointed cell, they come together in the
temple, open to the sky In the middle
towering in many-storied roofs al
around, and on its huge gates, standing
out in strong relief, colossi of tn
spirit guardians of the fonr corners o
earth. Here they wait in profound
silence the hour appointed for tn
ceremony of divining in which Of tn
babes the pure spirit of Buddha ha
deigned to become incarnate.
Il At sunset these baby-candidates TO
: divinity are ushered with great POM
|, into the temple; here they are praye'
|. over, then examined as to the accurac
|. of the supernatural marks. This don
their names are written on the back
of artificial golden fishes, which ar
then cast into golden urn of water
which stands on the right OF the altar
throne of Buddha- Then the chief 9
the Lamas. puts his hand into the urr
!, and with his eyes lifted up to the blu
. sky, he draws out a fish and read
: with loud voice the name of the babe
Loud trumpet blasts repeat the nam
through and through the ancient ten
!, pie. The parents, overcome with JOY
!. fall on their knees before the wonderf,
babe and worship it, not doubling II
divinity. The other babes are locke
!, upon as semi-incarnations and reserve
. to become Teshu Lamas.
The next day the sacred babe is ca
: ried through the city at the head of
Z vast concourse Of priests and peopl
, with music, shoutings and hymns
i joy. and placed in the Potala until
y shall have become of age and his mir
q illuminated with the indwelling spir
of the Buddha. Strange to say this ripel
"a ing of the spirit Of the Delai Lama "
ries; in some incarnations it TAX
place at the age of fifteen, in othe