The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1904-10-29
GOD BU.DDHA
SEEN I, /. AT LAST |. |
Wonders Of the Jo-Kang, Guard
cd for Ages, Are Finally
Revealed.
GOLD, GEM COVERED IDOL
Treasures in Mysterious Shrine
at Lllasa, Covered With Gem
turtles Of Crime,

A special correspondent OF the London
Times, writing from Tibet. says
It Is not always realized that 1t Is In
the Cathedral of Lhasa, not In the palace
outside. that the spiritual life OF Tibet
and Of the countless millions OF Northern
buddhism Is wholly centred. The policy
of isolation which has for 50 long beon
the chief characteristic Of the faith finds
ts fullest expression III tho fanatical
Jealousy With which this temple, the heart
and focus Of Lnmapigm, has been safe.
guarded against thc strangers intru-
sion.
What Tibet is to tho rest of the world.
what Lhasa is TO Tibet that the Jo-
kanag Is to Lhasa. and 1t us not entirely
clear. In spite Of more thnn ole ao-
called description Of tho interior. that
any European. or ovcn native Spy, mas
even before ventured inside
1t Is not strangers only against whom
the great doors OF the Jc-kang have been
barred. Exclusion from It's sacred pre-
cirtcts Is officially pronounced against
hose also who have incurred the SUB
plcior or displeasurc OF the ruling hier-
drc:ly Of Lhasa, and 1t is q curious proof
s@ OF The nutocratic power which IS excrr
) ciseu with regard ID this cathedral. as
well as Off he 2iTslgnlfcance OF the suzer-
a!nty, that IN August 18th In this year the
Ficeroy fimtelf, going IN state TO the 90
8 kang TO ci.er prayer on the occasion of
3 the Chinese En1perors birthday, had the
doors shut In his face.
III 10 this insult the opportunity have
Z enjoyed OF examining the temple with a
fullness that would otherwise have boon
impossible was due. Anxious 10 REAL
"A late, the Anban-.who was on s,1hse-
\ uuent day grndsingiy permitted to visit
2 the ground fioor only OF tho building
q used our presence in Lhasn to teach tne
& keepers OF tho athcdral d lesson in man
ucrs. AT any, ra te, to our surprise, defi-
mite Invitation was one day extended to
Y one or two OF the members OF the mis-
u Sion TO make a morning visit into Lhasa
X for the purpose OF examining the treas
! urcs OF the innermost sanctuary OF
+ buddhism. 1t was accepted.
G@'#A Chinese guard OF the residcncy arm
@c cd With trjdents. haibcrds, and scythe-
headed lanccs. provided our escort, and |
Immediately upon our arrival the great
doors. hal htdueE In the shadow unoer |
the manipulated propyon. we're opened |
and at once barred again behind us. J. |
We reach the tern end OF the cathe-
Sr dral and are passing behind the trellis-
work OF the inner court. In the twilight
It Is difficult to distinguish the half-scen
figures which people the reccsses and
"
We gippo our way. Ten PAGES more and
( the 10 Itself is before us.
THE GREAT GOD BUDD.
The first sight OF what Is beyond ques- I
ton the most famous idol In the world
Is uncannly impressive. In the darkness
1t is at first difficult to flow the lines
OF the shrine which holds the god. One |
4 only realizes high pillarcd sanctuary In
which the gloom Is almost absolute, and l.
4 therein, thrown into strange relief against
the obscurlty, tbs soft CLEAN OF the
golden lido! which sits cnthroned in the
centre. Before him are rows and rows
4 OF great butter-iamps OF solid gold, each
shaped in curious resemblance TO tile pre-
8 Reformation chalices OF the English
s Church. Lighted by the tender radiance
5of these twenty or thirty beads OF light.
the grea, glowing mass OF the Buddha
softly looms out, ghostlike and shad dow Il
less IN the murky recess
1t Is not tho magnificence OF the statue
that is first perceived, and certainly It is
not that which makes the deepest and
most lasting impression. For8this Is no
ordinary representation.&of the Master.
The y, nc !, features are smooth and almost
childish; beautiful they are not, but
there Is no need of beauty here. Here is
no trace or that lnscrutable smile which
from Mukden to Ceylon is inscparabie
from our conceptions Of the features OF
4 the great Teacher Here there is Moth
1Nb Oh the tSIIltlc OF tho Mclan-
cholla who has known too much and has
renowned It oil as vanity. Here instead,
Is the quiet happiness and the quick
capacity for pleasure OF the boy who hau
never yet known pain or disease or DEATH
1t Is Guatama as a pure anu eager prince
without thought for the morrow or a
care for to-day. I;
s No doub, tho surroundings, which are
effective almost to che verge OF thea tri-
Scalness account for much, but this /,
beautiful statue Is the sum and climax
OF Tibet and as one gazes one knows t
and respects the Jealousy Of Its guar
dams,
IDOLS LEGENDARY HISTORY.
b The legendary history OF this idol is
worth retelling, 1t Is believed that the
likeness was made from Gautama him !
sciffin the happier days OF his innocence
and seclusion In kapali-yastu. 1t was
made by Visvakarma--no man. but the
constructive force Of tho universe-and
IS OF gold, alleged with the four other
elemental metals. silver, copper, Zinc and
Iron, syntolitul Of this world. and 1t Is
adorned with diamonds, rub!es, lapis-
lazult, emeralds, and the unidentified In
ilnnla, Which modern dictionaries pro-
saicaly explain rs sapphire. :
This priceless Image was given by tho
KING VI Magadha toGthe Chinese Emperor
Tor Ills timely assistance when tho Yava-
;.ns were overrunning the plains OF In
dln. from I'eklng It was brought as her :
GoWrys by Princess konJo In the seventh !.
century The crown was undoubtedly
given by Tsong-kapa himself In the carr, 9
cart Of the fifteenth century. ana the a
golden ornaments WHOM I
heap tic i>h,lNor before the image arr, !,
Lilo presents Of .p!ous Buddhlsts from The. .
earliest days to the present time, :
Among them nre twenty-five large y
eight OF d somewhat small b
er size. twelve bowls, two "Precious "
Wheels of tho Law and a multitude OF s
smaller articles all Of tho same metal,
These are arranged on the three shelves :
or the Khil-kor, and the taller articles :,
conceal tho whole Of the image from his +
shoulders downward. To this fact may 4
perhaps be duo the common. but mis- q
taken description Of the 10 as Il stand- 9
inc figure. AcNass and across his breast q