File:Scottish geographical magazine (1885) (14784244965).jpg

Identifier: scottishgeograph21scotuoft (find matches)
Title: Scottish geographical magazine
Year: 1885 (1880s)
Authors: Scottish Geographical Society Royal Scottish Geographical Society
Subjects: Geography
Publisher: Edinburgh, Royal Scottish Geographical Society
Contributing Library: Robarts - University of Toronto
Digitizing Sponsor: University of Toronto

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n having the Convention signed in the Potala,and in the finest hall in it, and once the lamas saw no harm resulted,and we invariably treated them with consideration, they entirely with-drew their obstruction, and when, just before leaving Lhasa, I paid aformal visit to the great cathedral called Jo Khang, I was surprised tofind them actually pressing me to come inside the railings and walkround the magnificent image of Buddha—a freedom I have never hadaccorded me in any temple in India. I fear I have not sufficient time to adequately describe thesemonasteries and temples. Outside they were solid and massive, thoughhardly beautiful. Inside they were weird and quaint, and sometimesgrotesque. I carried away with me an impression of immense impassive 244 SCOTTISH GEOGRAPHICAL MAGAZINE. figures of Buddha for ever gazing calmly and tranquilly downwards, ofwalls painted with grotesque demons and dragons, of highly decoratedwooden columns and roofs, of general dirt and griminess, and of in-
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numerable bowls of butter burning night and day, as candles are burntin Roman Catholic churches before figures of the saints. Sooner than I could ever have expected, the Convention was signed,and we prepared for our return to India. Once business had beenarranged, the Tibetans were all as happy as possible. No single personwas responsible ; each had had his say, and if blame had to fall on any THE GEOGRAPHICAL RESULTS OF THE TIBET MISSION. 245 one, it had to fall on all, and all equally. But in their heart of heartsthey knew full well that they had got off remarkably cheaply, and theyhad indeed the grace to acknowledge this. On the morning of our de-parture the regent came down to our camp and presented images ofBuddha to Mr. White and myself, as well as to General Macdonald.He thanked us for saving the monasteries and temples, and in present-ing the image of Buddha to me, said, When Buddhists look on thisthey put aside thoughts of strife, and think only of peace, and I hopethat you,

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