1855.] Notes on Eastern Thibet. 219 



The first officer is the Chemeling, the second Kandooling, the third 

 Tengeling; they are all Thibetans and the Chief Lamas — Awataris — 

 of Goompas* bearing those names. Prom these three Lama Coun- 

 sellors, the emperor of China nominates the ]Noume-hen,t " Nome 

 Khan" of M. Hue, who may be called President of the Council, or 

 Prime minister. He is Eegent when the Grand Lama is a minor, and 

 at all other times is the alter et idem of his holiness. The Noume-hen 

 is always one of the three Great Lamas above named. At his death, 

 or removal from office, he is succeeded in the Noume-hen's office by 

 one of the two remaining counsellors, always however under orders 

 of the emperor. His successor as head of his Goompa must, as in 

 the case of a " Grand Lama" be an awatar, i. e. he must re-appear in 

 the flesh as a child, and be raised to that position. 



Of equal rank with the Noume-hen, but having no temporal 

 authority, is the Genden Tepa Lama, he is next to the Grand Lama 

 himself the highest clerical authority. He is finally appointed by 

 the emperor, being in the first instance chosen on account of his 

 superior attainments and sanctity by the local authorities. He is 

 chief of the great monastery of Genden. The persons privileged to 

 take a part in the selection and recommendation of the Genden 

 Tepa, for his holy office are the Noume-hen, the two Ampas and the 

 four Shapees. They propose him for election to the Grand Lama, 

 after his approval, the Ampas procure his appointment from the 



* Principal Goompas at Lassa and its vicinity. 



Genden Goompa, .... 3,500 Lamas resident and itinerary. 



Leea, 5,500 „ 



Depoong, 7,500 ,, 



Gentoo, 500 ,, 



Grume, 500 ,, 



Chenamge, 1,000 „ 



Chalang, 



Chemchung, 200 ,, 



Kandooling, 200 ,, 



Tengelling, 200 „ 



Chechooling, 300 „ 



Moujida Taching, .... 1,000 „ 

 f Gealchup Noume-hen is the proper title which being translated is " the ima"-e 

 of Grawa" or the Grand Lama. 



