IIIF Color HighRes
National Institute of Informatics - Digital Silk Road Project
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| IIIF Color HighRes |
| India and Tibet : vol.1 |
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Citation Information
326 THE RETURN
understand that the presentation by so high a Lama to
those who were not Buddhists of an image of Buddha
himself was no ordinary compliment. And as the
reverend old Regent rose from his seat and put the present
into my hand, he said with real impressiveness that he had
none of the riches of this world, and could only offer me
this simple image. Whenever he looked upon an image
of Buddha he thought only of peace, and he hoped that
whenever I looked on it I would think kindly of Tibet.
I felt like taking a part in a religious ceremony as the
kindly old man spoke those words ; and I was glad that
all political wranglings were over, arid that now we could
part as friends man with man.
A mile from the town a large tent had been set up
by the roadside, and here we found the whole Council,
a number of the leading men of Lhasa, and the Chinese
Resident's first and second secretaries, all assembled
to bid us a final farewell. Tea was served, and then,
with many protestations of friendship, we shook hands for
the last time, remounted our ponies, and rode away.
When I reached camp, I went off alone to the -mountain-
side and gave myself up to all the emotions of this event-
ful time. My task was over and every anxiety was passed.
The scenery was in sympathy with my feelings ; the un-
clouded sky a heavenly blue ; the mountains softly merging
into violet ; and, as I now looked towards that mysterious
purply haze in which the sacred city was once more
wrapped, I no longer had cause to dread the hatred it
might hide. From it canie only the echo of the Lama's
words of peace. And with all the warmth still on me
of that impressive farewell message, and bathed in the in-
sinuating influences of the dreamy autumn evening, I was
insensibly suffused with an almost intoxicating sense of
elation and good-will. This exhilaration of the moment
grew and grew till it thrilled through me with over-
powering intensity. Never again could I think evil, or
ever again be at enmity with any man. All nature and all
humanity were bathed in a rosy glowing radiancy ; and
life for the future seemed nought but buoyancy and light.
Such experiences are only too rare, and they but too soon
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