A TROOP OF TIBETAN SOLDIERS 



tics or meddling in governmental affairs. 

 Sometimes they become so strong that 

 even the Dalai Lama and the Ambans 

 seem to be unable to control them. 



Lamaism is the state religion of Tibet 

 and its power in the Hermit Country is 

 tremendous. Religion dominates every 

 phase of life. The propagation and de- 

 velopment of Lamaism are accomplished 

 by very effective methods. For instance, 

 in a family of four sons, at least two, 

 generally three, of them must be Lamas. 

 Property and family prestige also natur- 

 ally go with the Lamas to the monastery 

 in which they are inmates. In this way 

 not only is the monastery growing richer 

 every year, but its authority, too, is con- 

 stantly increasing. 



Keeping the common people, or lay- 

 men, in ignorance is another means of 

 maintaining the power of the Lamas. 

 Nearly all the laymen are illiterate 

 Lamas are the only people who are 

 taught to read and write. That ignorance 

 breeds superstition is a well-known ax- 

 iom. Tibetans at the present day, owing 

 to their ignorance, are fast cob-webbed 

 by numberless superstitions which have 

 been accumulated for centuries. There 

 is scarcely a single action or object that 

 they do not believe to be controlled either 

 by gods or by evil spirits. 



THE GOVERNMENT OE TIBET 



Tibet is governed by the Dalai Lama 

 as politico-religious head and two "Am- 

 bans" as the political dictators. The Am- 

 bans are appointed by the Chinese Em- 

 peror every four years. All govern- 

 mental affairs have to undergo examina- 

 tions by the two Ambans, and all govern- 

 mental policy must be sanctioned by them 

 before it can be put into operation. 

 Literally, the Dalai Lama is under the 

 authority of the two Ambans, but being 

 supposed to be the incarnation of the 

 principal Pope-god Lobzong, he some- 

 times can issue commands which are be- 

 yond the control of the two Ambans. 



Below the Dalai Lama is the Regent 

 (see page 974), who must be the most 

 learned Lama in the whole country. 

 Xext in rank are the four Ministers of 

 State. One of these must be a Lama, 

 while the other three are laymen. The 

 position of Prime Minister is held by the 

 one of the four who has been a minister 

 for the longest term. 



Other officers are two Judges ("Mi- 

 ben"), who are in Lhasa; a treasurer 

 ("Changtzo") ; there is also a "Daiben" 

 (General) and "Ruben," "Giaben," "Ding- 

 ben," and "Chuben" (officers ruling 250, 

 125, 25, and 10 men respectively). 



979 



