ABSTRACT
Since time immemorial there had been no sort of religion in the kingdom of Thibet, the inhabitants were like brute beasts, undisciplined, ignorant, riteless, without laws, and disobedient to the Kings who tried to rule over them. When Urghien was at Torcĕ-tén the King of Thibet, called Tri-kiongh-teù-zèn [Thi-song De-tsen], was a man of great intelligence and sagacity, large hearted and liberal; in short, possessed of all the qualities which make a good ruler. Hearing that temples existed in other Kingdoms where a power greater than any existing on earth was worshipped, he was seized with a desire to introduce such laws into Thibet and to found a Religion. He sent envoys to Sahor and ambassadors to China who all sent word that what he wanted must be looked for in the Empire of Hindustan. The Head of the Religion of that vast country lived there and many universities existed; laws were explained, people were obedient, ritual was observed and masters were obeyed. The fame of a great teacher named Urghien was spread abroad, and if the King desired to carry out his admirable intention, the best would be to send ambassadors and beg him to come to Thibet and establish his Religion which had borne such splendid fruit in Hindustan. No doubt the prayer would be favourably received as Urghien had already visited many Kingdoms and taught his religion to numberless peoples. Thereupon King Tri-kiongh-teù-zèn resolved to make every effort to attain what he so ardently desired, and ordered the most robust, intelligent and obedient youths to be selected from the different provinces of Thibet and sent to him. In glowing words he explained his intention, exhorted them not to fear the long journey, the intense cold, nor the fierce heat of other climes, the dangers of a long disused road, the differences in customs and ideas of unknown nations, the difficulty of learning foreign languages, and the pain of leaving their homes and their parents and being perhaps insulted and despised by a strange and insolent people. He bid them think of the glory, the applause, and the everlasting memory which would accrue to their country, their families and themselves, and assured them that he would recompense them munificently for their hard work and fatigue. Then distributing garments, provisions and packets of gold dust, he deigned to embrace them all with paternal affection, and exclaimed: “Go, may good fortune attend you, and on your return to our Thibet may you bring in triumph the Religion I so ardently desire.”
