An Embassy to the Court of the Teshoo Lama in Tibet - Prajna Quest

TIBET. 293(Ooroonasse) is not so certain ; but Benares, in the present day, seemsto have the highest claim to their respect and veneration.The absence of the Regent, had now restored me to comparativelygreater freedom, and left me at leisure to gratify my curiosity, by amore minute examination of the neighbourhood of Teshoo Loomboo.Here, therefore, I shall throw together, without any strict regard tomethodical arrangement, some of the most important observations Iwas, at this time more particularly, enabled to make, respecting thestate of the country around me, and the customs and opinions of itsinhabitants.Teshoo Loomboo, or Lubrong, the seat of Teshoo Lama, and thecapital of that part of Tibet immediately subject to his authority, issituated in 29° 4' 20" north latitudeN and 89' 7' east longitude, fromGreenwich. It is a large monastery, consisting of three or four hundredhouses, the habitations of the Gylongs, besides temples, mausoleums,and the palace of the sovereign pontiff; in which is comprised also,the residence ofthe Regent, and of all the subordinate officers, both ecclesiasticaland civil, belonging to the court. It is included within thehollow face of a high rock, and has a southern aspect. Its buildings areall of stone, none less than two stories high, flat roofed, and crownedwith a parapet, rising considerably above the roof, composed of heathand brush-wood, inserted betAveen frames of timber, which form at"From the medium of six meridian altitudes of the sun, taken with a brass sextantand artificial horizon, both of Ramsden's.29° 4' 2o" N. Lat. of Teshoo Loombo. 89° 7' E. Long, of Teshoo Loomboo.22 35Calcutta. 88 35 Calcutta.6 29 20 North from Calcutta. 32 East from Calcutta.