12 CHINESE POLICY. 



according to the instructions of his predecessor. In 

 the same way the Kiitukhtu of Urga is generally 

 sought for in Tibet, in accordance with the pro- 

 phetic indications of the Dalai Lama. When the 

 newly-born saint is discovered, an immense caravan 

 is sent from Urga to convey him to Bogdo-Kuren ; 

 and a thank-offering for his discovery, amounting to 

 30,000 lans in money, and sometimes even more, is 

 presented to the Dalai Lama. 



During our stay at Urga the throne of the 

 Kutukhtu remained unoccupied, the holy potentate 

 having died a year or two before ; and although his 

 successor had been discovered in Tibet, the Mon- 

 gol embassy could not make their way thither, owing 

 to the Mahomedan (Dungan) insurrection, which had 

 extended to Kan-su, through which lies the road 

 from Urga to Lhassa. 



Besides the Kutukhtu of Urga, there are other 

 Kutukhtus or Gigens in other temples in Mongolia 

 and at Peking itself, but they are all inferior in rank 

 to their brother of Bogdo-Kuren, and when they 

 appear before him they must prostrate themselves 

 like other mortals. 



The Chinese Government fully appreciates the 

 extraordinary influence which these Gigens and 

 Lamas exercise over the ignorant nomads, and on 

 this account protects the whole religious hierarchy 

 in Mongolia. In this way the power of the Chinese 

 is perpetuated, and the hatred generally entertained 

 by the Mongols for their oppressors somewhat 

 abated. The Gigens, individually and as a class, 



