INTRODUCTORY REMARKS. xxxvii 



climax in this doctrine of contiiuiotis incarnations, main- 

 taining the succession to high spiritual dignity on earth. 



Th.Q Bicddhas of the past, — those culminations of spiritual 

 progress who have attained and accomplished their day in 

 that supreme position, vanish in Nirvana and return no 

 more. But the Bodhisatvas, for the weal of mankind, 

 become thus repeatedly embodied on earth. This volun- 

 tary incarnation is a different thing from the ordinary 

 re-birth of metempsychosis. The latter is a fate incumbent 

 on every living soul till it be freed from all impurity. But 

 voluntary incarnation is the peculiar privilege of those sin- 

 free souls alone which have wrought their way out of the 

 toils of transmigration. Transmigration, in short, from a 

 Buddhist point of view, is a natural, whilst reincarnation 

 is a siipcy'datural process. 



This doctrine, no doubt, had early seeds, but it ex- 

 panded to its full development only in the fifteenth cen- 

 tury, and in the Yellow Church of Tsongkaba. 



The Dalai Lama of Lhassa is always looked on as the 

 incarnation of the Bodhisatva Avalokite^vara, the special 

 guardian of Tibet. The Panchhan Rinbochhi is regarded 

 immediately as the re-born Tsongkaba, but therefore 

 ultimately as the Dhyani Buddha Amitabha. So that, as 

 regards the spiritual rank and doctrinal authority that he 

 represents, the latter would, perhaps, stand highest ; but he 

 of Lhassa preponderates in temporal dominion, and conse- 

 quently in ecclesiastical influence. 



It is very obscure how this double popedom arose ; but 

 the most probable deduction from the fragmentary facts 

 accessible is that the Lhassa pontificate is somewhat the 

 oldest, going back to very near the age of Tsongkaba, and 

 that the Panchhan Rinbochhi dates from the foundation of 

 the great monastery of Tashilunpo, circa 1445-47. ^^ 

 know that in 1470 both existed, for both in that year 

 received seals and diplomas from the Chinese Emperor. 



For a considerable time the two were only the arch- 

 priests of the Yellow sect, and were so regarded by the 

 chiefs of the Reds, who held an analogous position. But 



