The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1902-12-11
SAW GREAT LAMA OF TIBET.
Interest ing Visit of an Indian Travel
err to the Sacred City"

Interesting Visit of an Indian Travel
err to the Sacred City"
In 1882, at the insttgation of the gov
eminent of India, Sarat Chandra Das
made journey to Tibet. The report
which he submitte ed remained for many
years in the archives of the Indian gov
eminent. Recently it has been pub
lished by the Royal Geographical So
ciety of Great Britain.
Educated at the Calcutta Presidency
college, and appointed head master Of
the Bhutia boarding school at Darjeel-
ing, Sarat Chandra Das cultivated eve
ry opportunity of intercourse with Ii
betans, learned their language, and
made study Of their religion, so that
when he started on his journey he was
not only able to successfully sustain
the disguise. of Tibetan lama, but
could count on protection from many
friends he had made in the country.
The Indian traveller visited Lhasa,
the capital of Tibet, the sacred city"
the residence of the Dalai Lama. The
Dalai Lama, supposed to be the rein
carnation of Buddha. was once the ru-
Ter of Tibet; later his power was con-
fined to spiritual matters, a king being
appointed to attend to temporal affairs
Now it is so arranged that both tenn
poral and spiritual rulers are usually
under age, and a regent appointed by
China. governs for them. Our traveller
was. of course, anxious to see the Da-
lai Lama.
He appealed to the Lhacham, a
LADY of the king" or princess who
was his friend, to help him to an in
terview. Il have not acquired" he be-
walled, "a sufficient moral merit, in
former existence, to be able to see
shenrezig in flesh and blood" She re-
assured him. DO not be cast down.
Pandibla; though it is not an easy
+ matter for even the Shape and mobiles
of Tibet to see the Dalai Lama, / will
arrange an audience for YOU
Accordingly next day our traveller
paid his visit to Potala, provided with
three bundles of incense sticks and a
roll of khatag presentation scarves).
An ascent of five ladders brought them
to the 'Red Palace" then a half doz-
en- more ladders and the party were at
the top of PotaIa, whence magnifi-
cent view Of the valley and city is OBJ
tanned, with green groves, and gilt
spires of the temples. and in the dis
lance the great monasteries with a
mass of dark blue mountains as a
background. Having presented his
khatag, and placed in the lap of the
Dalai Lama piece Of gold weighing a
tola, he took his seat in the third of
eight rows, about ten feet distant from
the Grand Lama.
The Grand Lama is child of eight
with a bright and fair complexion and
rosy cheeks. His eyes are large and
penetrating, the shape of his face re-
markably Aryan, though somewhat
marred by the Obliquity of his eyes.
The thinncss of his person WAS proba-
bly, due to the fatigue Of the court GER
emonies and to the religious duties and
ascetic observance of his estate. A yell
low inter covered his head, and it's
pendent lappets hid his ears; a yellow
mantle draped his person, and he sat
cross-legged with Joined palms. The
throne on which he sat was supported
by carved lions and covered with silk
scarves. The state officers moved
about with becoming dignity.
After the drinking Of tea, and presen-
tation of rice. which was touched by
the Dalai Lama and carefully pre-
served by the Pilgrims, grace was said
and a sort Off litany recited, and then