As I discussed the power bestowal with Tuden he seemed somewhat embarrassed, but he was quite prepared to tell me all he knew about it. Apparently this custom is well known all over the Land of the Lamas and is a very popular festival in Lhasa. In the bestowal of power some lamas are more efficacious than others and soon gain a wide reputation for the quality and quantity of power bestowed. Like a wise muster doctor the lama lays down certain conditions; if you do this, he ays in effect, then certain other things will follow. Good will come to those who do good and evil will follow those who do evil.
In the bestowal of power he sti-plates certain things; one of which is an adherence to religion, religion being Lamaism, The lama, no matter how rich he may be, always seen to be living on the dole: he always seems to be financially embarrassed and these festivals are means of reising lamasery funds. Some holy water, a holy pill and a bit of holy silk have some sacred significance but very little compared in value to what the religious devotees present to the lama and the lamasery I was anxious to know if Tuden could tell me if the presiding lama knows anything of the suppliant before him. Apparently one lama in 100 have some knowledge of those who kneel before them. Dralee Guncho, a native of Litang, is probably the biggest' outlaw along the Tibetan frontier. I asked Tuden it Dralee knelt before the lama seeking power, could the lama discover who the suppliant was, Yi said Tuden, but he would be afraid to say anything. And further, if Dralee was seeking power, it was probably to confess his sins and repent of his misdeeds. Tuden scouted the idea that Dralee was seeking more power to do more harm and hive more success as a brigand.
The bestowal of power, according to Tuden was a purely religious custom. enabling those who received it to do good and merit virtue.
Lamas Weather Wise Absent Treatment Bestowed They are very careful not to gnvite the inhabitants out to the on a cold and stormy day religious devotees might catch a nasty cold and blame it on the temple. The lamas very wisely wait until the spring days begin, when the buds are just coming out and the young leaves are on the trees. The populace has spent a long winter beside the fireplace, so when spring comes, the lamas and drabas initiate s religious festival, inviting the inhabitants out of doors to the warm sunshine round the temples.
On a fine day a lunch basket is made up, including nice things for the lamas and drabas to eat and A Tibetan lady had a weak rascal of a husband whose days were paved with good resolutions which he was never able to keep. His good wife heard that there was a lama in the district famous as a bestower of power. One day she approached this man and explained her hus-bank's weakness. Could- he give absent treatment? Yes, replied the loma, but you must read the Ganjur three times and spend three years a hermit of Diana Dorje. This rhe was pleased to do provided her husband received the necessary power to become a good man. The story ends there. drink, The Tibetan Aja, the lady in charge of. a large caravanserai has 1 small boy resident in the lamasery The boy is under the care of a lai as his teacher. When the party arrives the lama He everything ready, including a good supply of rich yak butter tea. A visit is made te the important religious spots round the temple. then an adjournment is made to the teacher's room where the lunch is nicely spread out and a few friends in the lamasery are invited to join the lunch party
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.