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

TIBET. 307Jlie Berliampootcr. In the wide extended space over which this faithprevails, the same object of veneration is acknowledged under numeroustitles; among others, he is styled Godama or Gowtama, in AssamandAva; Samana, in Siam; Amida Buth, in Japan; Fohi, in China;Budha and Shakamuna, in Bengal and Hindostan ;Dherma Raja andMahamoonie, in Bootan and Tibet. Durga and Kali ; Ganeish, theemblem of wisdom ; and Cartikeah, with his numerous heads andarms, as well as many other deities of the Hindoo mythology, havealso a place in their assemblage of gods.The same places of popular esteem or religious resort, as I havealready hinted, are equally respected in Tibet and in Bengal ,Praag,Cashi, Durgeedin, Saugor, and Jagarnaut, are objects of devout pilgrimage; and I have seen loads of the sacred water taken from theGanges, travelling over these mountains, (which, by the bye, contributelargely to its increase) upon the shoulders of men, whom enthusiastshave deemed it worth their while, to hire at a considerable expence,for so pious a purpose.As far as I am able to judge, respecting their ritual, or ceremonialworship, it differs materially from the Hindoo. The Tibetians assemblein chapels, and unite together in prodigious numbers, to performtheir religious service, which they chant in alternate recitativeand chorus, accompanied by an extensive band of loud and powerfulinstruments. So that, whenever I heard these congregations, theyforcibly recalled to my recollection, both the solemnity, and sound, ofthe Roman Catholic mass.The instruments made use of were ail of an enormous size. Trum-Rr