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

TIBET,33Jerected for the reception and accommodation of'Teshoo Lama. Heresides in a palace in the centre of the monastery, which occupiesabout a mile of ground in circumference, and the whole is encompassedby a wall. The several buildings serve for the accommodationof three hundred Gylongs, appointed to perform religious service withTeshoo Lama, until he shall be removed to the monastery, and Musnudof Teshoo Loomboo. It is unusual to make visits, either here orin Bootan, on the day of arrival ; wc therefore rested this day, onlyreceiving and sending messages of compliment.On the morning of Tuesday, the 4 th of December, I was allowed tovisit Teshoo Lama, and found him placed, in great form, upon hisMusnud; on the left side stood his father and mother; on the otherthe officer particularly appointed to wait upon his person. TheMusnud is a iubric of silk cushions, piled one upon the other, untilthe seat is elevated to the height of four feet from the floor ; apiece of embroidered silk covered the top, and the sides also weredecorated with pieces of silk, of various colours, suspended fromthe upper edge, and hanging down. At the particular request ofTeshoo Lama's father, Mr. Saunders and myself wore the Englishdress.I advanced, and, as the custom is,presented a white pelong scarf,and delivered also into the Lama's hands, the Governor General's presentof a string of pearls, and coral, while the other things were setdown before him. Having performed the ceremony of exchangingscarfs with his father and mother, we took our seats on the right hand©f Teshoo Lama.