Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society Hong Kong Branch
ORASHKB and author
46
Vol. 1 (1961)
ISSN 1991-7295
the majestic highlands, where there were no motors, indeed no vehicles of any sort. There was the simple and quiet village life and the more sophisticated leisure and gaiety of society in Lhasa. I remember years of deliberate, protracted, shrewd but friendly business negotiations with the Tibetan Government. I remember very well their frequent and elaborate ceremonies, which were not just Lord Mayor shows, but were treated with grave attention as an essential part of the well-being of the State.
Questions and Answers:
Q: How large was the population of Tibet when you were there? A: The population of Tibet has never been properly counted, but some people put it down at three million, some at one million, and some at a great many more. I think that three million is about right.
Q: How many of those were in Lhasa?
A: In Lhasa about 25,000 laymen and 25,000 monks.
Q: Do all the monks believe in reincarnation or only some of them?
A: It is an absolutely essential part of their faith.
Q: Does the term "monk" have the same meaning as the term "lama"?
A: Lama means a superior being and it is usually used as a term of politeness for a learned man and it is the essential title of an incarnate lama.
Q: Was it prohibited for ordinary women to wear the skirts worn by noblewomen?
A: No. All women wear the same kind of skirt. It's part of a tunic-like garment, which has no sleeves. A blouse is worn underneath. I don't know the proper description of a dress of that sort, but the skirt anybody may wear, and the apron any married woman may wear and usually does wear. Only on very terrible occasions like the death of a Dalai Lama do they do without their apron. Women's dress basically is all the same pattern. The materials differ with regard to workmanship.
Q: Was it prohibited for women to wear the double apron, one in back and one in front?
A: The Tibetans only wear one in front. Possibly it is a Mongol habit to wear two.
Q: How do they choose their incarnations?
Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society Hong Kong Branch
ORASHKB and author
46
Vol. 1 (1961)
ISSN 1991-7295
the majestic highlands, where there were no motors, indeed no vehicles of any sort. There was the simple and quiet village life and the more sophisticated leisure and gaiety of society in Lhasa. I remember years of deliberate, protracted, shrewd but friendly business negotiations with the Tibetan Government. I remember very well their frequent and elaborate ceremonies, which were not just Lord Mayor shows, but were treated with grave attention as an essential part of the well-being of the State.
Questions and Answers:
Q: How large was the population of Tibet when you were there? A: The population of Tibet has never been properly counted, but some people put it down at three million, some at one million, and some at a great many more. I think that three million is about right.
Q: How many of those were in Lhasa?
A: In Lhasa about 25,000 laymen and 25,000 monks.
Q: Do all the monks believe in reincarnation or only some of
them?
A: It is an absolutely essential part of their faith.
Q: Does the term "monk" have the same meaning as the term
"lama"?
A: Lama means a superior being and it is usually used as a term of politeness for a learned man and it is the essential title of an incarnate lama.
Q: Was it prohibited for ordinary women to wear the skirts
worn by noblewomen?
A: No. All women wear the same kind of skirt. It's part of a tunic-like garment, which has no sleeves. A blouse is worn underneath. I don't know the proper description of a dress of that sort, but the skirt anybody may wear, and the apron any married woman may wear and usually does wear. Only on very terrible occasions like the death of a Dalai Lama do they do without their apron. Women's dress basically is all the same pattern. The materials differ with regard to workmanship.
Q: Was it prohibited for women to wear the double apron, one
in back and one in front?
A: The Tibetans only wear one in front. Possibly it is a Mongol
habit to wear two.
Q: How do they choose their incarnations?
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