Chapter 13
book in any of the Buddhist monasteries of Tibet
bearing on the life of Issa?
Answer 5. I have been for forty-two years a Lama, and am well acquainted with all the well-known
192
LAST ESSAYS.
Buddhist books and manuscripts, and I have never- heard of one which mentions the name of Issa, and it is my firm and honest belief that none such exists. I have inquired of our principal Lamas in other monasteries of Tibet, and they are not acquainted with any books or manuscripts which mention the name of Issa.
Question 6. M. Nicolas Notovitch, a Russian gentle- man who visited your monastery between seven and eight years ago, states that you discussed with him the religions of the ancient Egyptians, Assyrians, and the people of Israel.
Answer 6. I know nothing whatever about the Egyptians, Assyrians, and the people of Israel, and do not know anything of their religions what- soever. I have never mentioned these people to any sahib.
[I was reading M. Notovitch’s book to the Lama at the time, and he burst out with, ‘ Sun, sun, sun, manna mi dug !’ which is Tibetan for ‘ Lies, lies, lies, nothing but lies!’ I have read this to him as part of the statement which he is to sign— as his deliberate opinion of M. Notovitch’s book. He appears perfectly
satisfied on the matter. — J. A. D.]
Question 7. Do you know of any Buddhist writings
in the Pali language % .....
Answer 7. I know of no Buddhist writings in the
Pali language ; all the writings here, that I know of, have been translated from Sanskrit and Hindi into the Tibetan language.
[From this answer, and other observations of the Lama, it would appear that he is not acquainted with the term ‘ Pali.’ — J- A. D.]
ALLEGED SOJOURN OF CHRIST IN INDIA. 193
Question 8. Have you received from any sahib a present of a watch, an alarum, and a thermometer ?
Answer 8. I have never received any such presents from any sahib. I do not know what a thermometer is. I am sure that I have not one in my possession.
[This answer was given after a careful explanation of the nature of the articles in question. — J. A. D.] Question 9. Do you speak Urdu or English 1 Answer 9. I do not know either Urdu or English. Question 10. Is the name of Issa held in great respect by the Buddhists 1
Answer 10. They know nothing even of his name ; none of the Lamas has ever heard it, save through missionaries and European sources.
Signed in the Tibetan language by the Chief Lama of Himis, and sealed with his official seal.
In the presence of us
J. Archibald Douglas, Pro- fessor, Government College, - Agra, N.-W. P.
Shahmwell Jordan, late Postmaster of Ladakh.
Himis Monastery, Little Tibet : June 3, 1895.
(Mr. Joldan’s Declaration.)
This is my declaration : That I acted as interpreter for Professor Douglas in his interviews with the Chief Lama of Himis Monastery. I can speak English, and Tibetan is my native language. The questions and answers to which the Chief Lama has appended his
