[22] Jaeschke, ‘Tib. engl. dict.,’ calls this disease pags chu, “skin water;” snying chu, “heart water;” dmu chu, “dropsy, especially in the chest and belly.” On the medical knowledge of the Tibetans, see Journ. Bengal Asiat. Soc., iv. pp. 1 et sqq.—(W. R.) [↑]
[23] In this game, which is an invention of one of the Panchen rinpoches, dice are thrown, by which the players get different positions in the various heavens or hells—(S. C. D.) Our author also mentions a game called te-pi, or rocket, but, unfortunately, does not give any idea of the game itself. See also ‘Report U.S. National Museum,’ 1893, p. 723.—(W. R.) [↑]
[24] Chinese authors say that, “during the 7th and 8th moons they (the Tibetans) put up tents along the river banks, and men and women bathe together in the river, it being symbolical of the purification ceremonies of the 13th of the 3rd month (in China),” Jour. Roy. Asiat. Soc., No. xxiii., p. 213.—(W. R.) [↑]
[25] On the 29th day of the moon.—(W. R.) [↑]
[26] Our author mentions also the following festivals:—
| 15th of | 1st | moon: Buddha’s birthday. |
| 15th of | 3rd | moon,, First preaching of the Kalachakra tantra. |
| 8th of | 4th | moon,, Buddha became a mendicant. |
| 15th of | 4th | moon,, Buddha’s nirvana. |
| 5th of | 5th | moon,, Feast of god of medicine. |
| 4th of | 6th | moon,, Buddha’s first sermon. |
| 10th of | 7th | moon,, Birth of Padma chyung-nas (Padma Sambhava). |
| 15th of | 7th | moon,, The snowy mountains are worshipped. |
| 25th of | 10th | moon,, Birth of Tsongkhapa. |
Cf. Waddell, op. cit., 502 et sqq. [↑]
[27] Known in southern Buddhist countries as varsha or Barsat. Yar is dbyar (usually pronounced chyar), “summer;” and nas (gnas), “abode.” I do not believe the practice is generally observed. Cf. Waddell, op. cit., 224, and supra.—(W. R.) [↑]
[28] See p. 114. On the New Year festivities, see Waddell, op. cit., 518. [↑]
[29] I have witnessed a number of these kurim, or guilt-offering ceremonies, but none of such magnitude as the one held at Lhasa. See, for a picture of this procession at Lhasa, Georgi, ‘Alph. Tibet,’ p. 212.—(W. R.) [↑]