A R E C E P T I O N A T T H E P O T A L A 289
“ After a while three lamas appeared, and said that
the Dalai Lama would presently conduct a memorial
service for the benefit of the late Meru Ta Lama (Great
Lama of Meru gomba), and that we were allowed to be
present at it. Walking very softly, we came to the
middle of the reception hall, the roof of which is
supported by three rows of pillars, four in each row,
and where light is admitted by a skylight. The
furniture was that generally seen in lamaseries, but
the hangings were of the richest brocades and cloths
of g o ld ; the church utensils were of gold, and the
frescoing on the walls of exquisite fineness. Behind
the throne were beautiful tapestries and satin hangings
forming a great gyal-tsan, or canopy. The floor was
beautifully smooth and glossy, but the doors and
windowsj which were painted red, were of the rough
description common throughout the country.
A Donyer approached, who took our presentation
khatag, but I held back, at the suggestion of Chola
Kusho, the present I had for the Grand Lama; and
when I approached him I placed in his lap, much to
the surprise of all present, a piece of gold weighing a
tola. We then took our seats on rugs, of which there
were eight row s ; ours were in the third, and about
ten feet from the Grand Lama’s throne, and a little to
his left.
“ The Grand Lama is a child of eight, with a bright
and fair complexion and rosy cheeks. His eyes are
large and penetrating, the shape of his face remarkably
Aryan, though somewhat marred by the obliquity
of his eyes. The thinness of his person was probably
due to the fatigue of the Court ceremonies and to the
religious duties and ascetic observances of his estate.
v o l . n. I9