“THE SEAT OF THE GODS.”

Gisborne Times, Volume XII, Issue 1084, 30 December 1903, Page 3

“THE SEAT OF THE GODS.”

THE SACRED OF LHASSA. Tho military expedition now being undertaken by Britain in Thibet, and which is regarded as a movement to check Russian aspirations in thut country, is engaging the attention of tho public mind. Thibet, or, at any rate, Lhassa, the capital of the country, has roused tho curiosity of adventurous travellers, and many unsuccessful attempts have boun mude to peuetrato to Lhassa. It has been loft to a Russian subject, M. Zoubikov, to reach tho heart of Thibet. M. Zoubikov is a Bouriat, and a graduate of tho Oriental Faculty of the University of St. Petersburg. As a born Buddhist and familiar from childhood with Thibetian, ho found no difficulty in passing for a Llama. Ho brought back a great number of photographs and other illustrations of tho life of the country, and his hook, which will shortly bo published, will contain much information hitherto unobtainable. His stay in Lhassa lasted over a year. The population, which has at times been estimated at r)y,000,000, is

probably about one-tenth of this number. It is decreasing through disease, particularly small-pox, and on account of tho large number of ceiibato priesto. Tho sons of Ohirioso soldiers and merchants

temporarily resident in Thibet are counted Chinese, tho daughters Thibcans. Other foreigners are Indians from Cashmere, and Mongolians and Thibetans from Nepul, the lattor being skilled artisans, architects, sculptors, and jewellors. The Cashmere Mahometans are traders. They usually convert their Thibotan wives! Only high officials in Lhassa have hereditary homes. The Thibetans bouses are of brick and stone. Tho common folks wear white,

tho wealthy rod, officials yellow, and soldiors blue clothing of homespun. Jowels aro worn in grout abundance by tho women.

Tho pooplo of Central Thibet aro passionately attached to thoir religious observances, which are purely formal. Prayors are regurdod as of magic poteucy, and figure iu all ordinary and extraordinary affairs of life. Medicino is in small popular favor. Morals are primitive, marriage ties aro loose. Both polygamy and polyandry aro common. Agriculture and cuttle-raising are the principal employments. Labor is choap, men being paid two or threo cents a day, while women usually servo for their food und clothing. Eveu a Llama receives only 10 cents for a day’s prayors. Lhassa was built in tho sovonth century. It has a picturesque location on the southern slopes of a mountain, with luxurious gardens on tho west and south. A fino Broad streot round tho city sorves for re jigious processions and penitential oxereises. Penitents go the longth of this street falling to the ground every five or six feet, so that in a day they prostrate themselves about 3090 times. The city is small, having only 10,000 regular inhabitants. It is, however, an important trade centre. Tho native traders are all women. The Temple of Buddha, in tho centre of tho city, is about 140 ft square. It is threo storoys high, and has threo gilded Chinese roofs. It sheltors a g gantic bronzo statuo of Buddha, which has a hammered gold aud jewelled head-dress. A sacrificial lire, fed with melted butter, burns beforo tht statute.

Tho residence of tho Dalai Llama is about a mile away from Lha33a, on Mount Bodola. It was build iu the 7th century. Near by is tho old castlo, Hodson-Bodola, which is 1400 ft long and nine storeys high. Hero aro the Treasury and Mint, tho schools of theology and medicino, quarters for 1200 officials and 500 monks, and a prison As many as 1000 priests take part in roligious processions to this mountain.

Noar Lhassa thero are three monasteries and temples, where 15,000 monks are mainly engaged in learned pursuits. At one of these -Brabim—nearly 6000 boys, young men, and even grey-boarded patriarchs are studying theology, tho .total numbor of resident monks boing 8000. Since the 15th century all power, civil and spiritual, has been nominally in the hands of tho Dalai Llama, but China maintains a Manchu resident and an army. In order to avoid strife in selecting a Dalai Llama, the Electoral Council places three strips of paper with the names of three boys in an urn, and tho Manchu resident draws one with a small wand. The new Dalai Llama’s education ia entrusted to a college of learned men. Until his 22nd year the Government is in the hands of a regent, appointed by the Emperor of China. The administration is in the hands of a closed aristocracy, and bribery and corruption are nearly universal. Robbery flourishes.