LHASA AND CENTRAL TIBET, 735 



of the eminent incarnates has his own inherited house. All other 

 buildings belono- either to the central government, or to the various 

 communities of the neighl^oring monasteries. Buildings owned by 

 private individuals are few and are mainlj" in the outskirts of the 

 city. 



All these buildings are under the control of the palace of the Dalai 

 Lama, Potala, about two-thirds of a mile west of the city, and built upon 

 a rocky height. The foundation of the palace, tradition says, was laid 

 by the above-named Srongzang Khan during the seventh century, but 

 it was remodeled, with the addition of the main central portion, called 

 " Pobrang-marpo"" (the red palace), during the life, and even after the 

 death, of the fifth eminent Dalai Lama. It is evident that the palace 

 and additions were planned to serve as a means of defense, and from 

 this point of view Potala looms up as one of the old castles, of which 

 many ruins abound in Tibet, and in the sad fate of which Potala played 

 the preeminent role by subjecting them to itself. 



The palace is about 1,400 feet long and about 70 feet higii in 

 front. The front and two sides are surrounded by a wall, the rear 

 portion extending into the hill. In the construction of this palace the 

 Tibetans displayed their highest architectural skill. Here are found 

 the most precious treasures of Tibet, including the golden sepulchre 

 of the fifth Dalai Lama, which is about 28 feet high. The treasures 

 and apartments of the Dalai Lama are in the central portion of the 

 temple palace, which is painted a tawny color and known as the "red 

 palace" — Pobrang-marpo. The remainder of the building serves as 

 quarters for various attendants or followers of the Dalai Lama, 

 including a community of 500 monks, the so-called "Namgyaltsan," 

 whose duty it is to pray for the welfare and long life of the Dalai 

 I^ama. 



Near the hill arc the mint, the house for the Dalai Lama's subjects, 

 the prison, and other structures. Upon the continuation of this hill 

 stands the convent Miinbo-datsang, where GO monks devote themselves 

 to the study of medicine at the expense of the Dalai Lama. A little 

 farther north is the idol temple of the Chinese Buddhists, and at the 

 northwest foot of the hill is the palace of the fifth eminent hutuktu 

 Kundif-ling, and about two-thirds of a mile west of the latter is the 

 summer palace of the Dalai Lama. 



There are in Lhasa two temples where mysticism is taught, with an 

 attendance of 1,200 men. 



The civilitui population of Lhasa scarcely exceeds 10,000 persons, 

 about two-thirds of them women, although the number maj' seem 

 greater on account of the proximity of two large monastei'ies, the 

 many transient visitors, and the gatherings of worshipers from lama- 

 ite countries. As the political and religious center of Tibet, its sanc- 

 tuaries an attraction for numerous worshipers, Lhasa becomes an 



