T H E D O - R I N G 293
in somewhat deep relief, of which the edges have been
severely treated by the weather of many centuries.
Whether the stone itself is or is not the original granite
slab is a matter somewhat more difficult to decide.
At first I was convinced that it must have been renewed
The sacred willow which grows from one of Buddha’s hairs outside the doors of the
Cathedral. It overhangs the Do-ring.
once at least. This appeared to me to be probable for
more than one reason; the first was the clean-cut
surface of the stone where the quarry-man had originally
“ flatted” it for the inscription, combined with the recent
appearance of the lettering, so far as it can now be
seen; and, secondly, the rapidity with which the
Tibetans have ground into it the cup marks with which
the whole Chinese or eastern face of the stone is now
