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

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

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

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BOOTAN. 35now advanced, danc<strong>in</strong>g, and <strong>the</strong> ceremony was ended with loud acclamations.We turned and descended <strong>the</strong> hill on foot (as <strong>the</strong> declivity was <strong>to</strong>osteep for us <strong>to</strong> ride), <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> midst <strong>of</strong> loud shrieks and shouts. Wefound, on our return, a large mat spread before <strong>the</strong> Soobah's house,with a bench placed <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> middle <strong>of</strong> it ;and we went and s<strong>to</strong>od upon<strong>the</strong> mat, while <strong>the</strong> priests chanted some prayers-A paper, conta<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>gshells and rice, was put <strong>in</strong><strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> Soobah's hand, some <strong>of</strong> which he gaveme, and we scattered <strong>the</strong>m about:<strong>the</strong> cowries were quickly collectedby <strong>the</strong> girls. A large vessel <strong>of</strong> liquor was before us : a ladle full <strong>of</strong> itwas brought ta <strong>the</strong> Soobah : he <strong>to</strong>uched it ; I did <strong>the</strong> same ; and it wasafterwards distributed among <strong>the</strong> people.We <strong>the</strong>n adjourned <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong>Soobah's apartment, drank tea and liquors, and were presented witkfruits and provisions.The Soobah <strong>to</strong>ld me, that this religious ceremony had been per- \formed because we were just arrived <strong>in</strong> Bootan ;and it was proper <strong>to</strong><strong>in</strong>voke <strong>the</strong>ir deity <strong>to</strong> grant us protection, and a prosperous journeythrough <strong>the</strong>ir country, that we might return <strong>in</strong> safety <strong>to</strong> our own'.This was a duty, he said, which <strong>the</strong>y owed <strong>to</strong><strong>the</strong> English Company,and <strong>the</strong> Daeb would be pleased <strong>to</strong> know that it had been performed.They were happy, he added, that we had jo<strong>in</strong>ed <strong>in</strong> this act <strong>of</strong> devotion; and it was his wish that on our return we might revisit thisabode, and aga<strong>in</strong> perform <strong>to</strong>ge<strong>the</strong>r <strong>the</strong> same ceremonies. We <strong>the</strong>n<strong>to</strong>ok leave, and retired <strong>to</strong> our tents.In <strong>the</strong> even<strong>in</strong>g <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> ensu<strong>in</strong>g day <strong>the</strong> Soobah came <strong>to</strong> visit us, andI amused him by expla<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> different games at which we played jF

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