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

424 TIBET.Lama, and the viceroy of Lassa, accompanied by all the court; oneof the Chinese generals, stationed at Lassa, with a part of the troopsunder his command ; two of the four magistrates of the city ; theheads of every monastery throughout Tibet, and the Emperor's ambassadorsappeared at Teshoo Loomboo, to celebrate this grand epochain their political and theological iiistory.The 58th day of the seventh moon, corresponding nearly, as theiryear commences with the vernal equinox, to the middle of October,1784, was chosen as the most auspicious for this solemnity. A fewdays previous to this, the Lama was conducted from Terpaling, themonastery in which he had passed his infancy, with every mark ofpomp and homage, that could be paid by an enthusiastic people.Sogreat a concourse as assembled, either from curiosity or devotion, wasnever seen before, for not a person of any condition in Tibet wasabsent, who could possibly attend.Hence the procession was necessarilyconstrained to move so slow, that though Terpaling is situated atthe distance of five and twenty miles only from Teshoo Loomboo, threedays expired in the performance of this short march.The first halt wasmade at Tsondue ; the second at Summar, about six miles off; fromwhence the most splendid parade was reserved for the Lama's entryon the third day. An account of his entry has been given -me by aperson who was present in the procession. The road, he says, bywhich the Lama had to pass, was previously prepared, by beingwhitened with a wash, and having piles of stones heaped up, withsmall intervals between, on either side. The procession passed betweena double row of priests, who formed a street, extending all tlie