378 
TIBET. 
position, we can only have recourse to fair conjecture, and there is 
reason to hope that the natural revolution of human affairs, together 
with the probable course of events, will conspiie to remove the ob¬ 
structions to a free intercourse between the governments of Bengal and 
Tibet, and to restore the advantages which Bengal has lost. In the 
expectation of such an event, our best reliance is not merely on the 
friendly disposition of the present government of Teshoo Loomboo, but 
also on the superstitious doctrines of the Tibet faith; which, whilst it 
immortalizes the soul of the Lama upon earth, and admits its transmi¬ 
gration from one corporeal tenement to another, until the end of time, 
perpetuates also its dispositions and its prejudices. The usual proof 
of the identity of a regenerated Lama, is an early recognition of the 
possessions, acquaintances, and transactions of his pre-existence. I 
am therefore of opinion, that the new Lama will be taught to recur to 
the connections of the former Teshoo Lama, as one of the strongest 
marks that can denote his identity, and facilitate his acceptation. 
And here I ground my hope on presumptions built upon the tenets 
of their faith, which is the basis on which their government itself is 
constructed. Were they to adopt a different conduct, they would ne¬ 
cessarily abandon the most sacred and immutable positions of their 
religion, and expose it to every degrading imputation, which is calcu¬ 
lated to rob it of its honours, and lay it open to the reproach, or deri¬ 
sion, attendant on detected imposition. 
During my residence in Tibet it was an object I had much at heart 
to obtain an interview with the infant Teshoo Lama. But in the Em¬ 
peror of China’s command, requiring his guardians to keep him in the 
