THE TWO GRAND LAMAS.

Evening Post, Volume LXVII, Issue 132, 4 June 1904, Page 13

THE TWO GRAND LAMAS.

Comparatively few persons, perhaps, are aware that there nro two Grand Lamas of Tibet, but thoir existence and the rivalry between them are important factors in the present* situation. The Lama of Tashe-Lhunpo is a perpetual reincarnation of Manju-sri or Ainiiablin, the Dalai Lama of Lhasa of Avuloskitcsvara, the pupil of AmiUibha. Spiritually, therefore, tho Tnvhe Liirna, or "Glorious Teacher," as he is moro ceremonially named, is the superior of the Dalni Lama of Lhasa. But the assistance of Kushi i Khnn, who wa» called in by the Dalai Lama in 1642 to pre\ent tho deptedations of a native lord. Tsang-po by namo, .of Shig-ttse, seemed for Lhastv tho undisputed sovereignty of Contra! Tibet, which is now roughly defined by the province of U. The other piovinoo, that of Tsang, wub left to the Tnslic Litma, but Kushi Khan allowed the temporal nuthoiity over both provinces to pass giadnally to Lluiha. Thus the spiritual superior of the Dalai Lanrn became temporarily his inferior, and a rivalry between the two gieat liuads of Lamaism wua iMgun, which continnest to the present day. Among the common peoplo tho Grand Lama 'of Tasho-Lhunpo — which ij a great monastery a mile or so from Shi#atso, t]ie town of second importance in Tibnt- — is regarded with even greater awo than is the Dalai Lama. The Chinese Regent, when ono «xibts, pays jrreater respect to him There is a legend that the end of Lninniftm and of Tibet will be marked by the withdrawal of tho Ta»he — not tho Dalai — Lama to Shmnbala, the Utopia qf the Bnddhisti. The work of tho British , exjjedition, therofore, will not be necessadly completed by tho occupation of i Lhasa. >