ABSTRACT
As I have said, the Grand Lamà of Thibet, at the time when Cinghes-Khang ruled the Kingdom, was a dissolute youth, addicted to every vice, thoroughly depraved, and quite incorrigible, because of the blind veneration and stupid faith of the Thibettans. Ignoring the sacred customs of Lamàs and monks in Thibet he began by bestowing care on his hair, then he took to drinking intoxicating liquors, to gambling, and at length no girl or married woman or good-looking person of either sex was safe from his unbridled licentiousness. Cinghes-Khang disapproved of, and could not adapt himself to the stolid folly of his subjects who venerated, loved and applauded the iniquitous Grand Lamà. By wise counsels and then by severe reprimands he tried to cure him of such profligacy. But finding counsels, reprimands, and threats unavailing, the King determined to take violent measures and stamp out an evil which was contaminating the whole Kingdom. Having informed the Emperor of China and obtained his agreement, King Cinghes-Khang, under various pretexts, obliged the Grand Lamà to leave Lhasá and proceed towards China escorted by Tartars and some of his trusted ministers. On the way they presented the king’s order for his execution [1706–1707]. Before the sentence was carried out the Grand Lamà turned to some of his followers and bade them tell his beloved Thibettans not to weep, as he would return to them. On the borders of China he would be born again, and they must search for him there. King Cinghes-Khang then made a monk of a certain aged Grand Lamà and installed him on the throne, 43 but the news of the death of the Grand Lamà aroused intense grief among the Thibettans and implacable hatred against the king, especially among the monks of Thibet. They wished to dethrone him, but for the moment were powerless until they obtained help from outside, as I shall relate. They attempted to refuse to recognize the new Grand Lamà but were prevented by the King’s strict orders and by fear of the Emperor of China who sent ambassadors to see that the Grand Lamà nominated by Cinghes-Khang should be acknowledged under pain of death. Outwardly all went well; the new Grand Lamà was acclaimed and obeyed, but sedition was rife, and it was determined to get rid of the King and the Grand Lamà whenever an opportunity occurred.
