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THE UNKNOWN LIFE OF JESUS CHRIST. 51 the town. In honor of the foreign visitor he organized a polo game in the square, ending in the evening with dances and games in front of his terrace.
The following day M. Notovitch visited the famous Himis monastery, about twenty miles from Lel, situated on a high rock in the midst of the vallcy, overlooking the river Indus. Himis is one of the principal monasteries of the country and contains a vast library of sacred works.
The entrance door is about six feet high, with stcps leading up to it. The large massive doors painted with bright colors open into a court paved with pebbles. Inside is the principal temple containing a large statue of Buddha and other smaller statues. On the left is a veranda with an immense prayer-whecl on it; on the right there is a row of rooms for monks, all adorned with sacred paintings and small-prayer whiccls.
Thc windows of the mpper story, looking outwarı, havc no pancs of glass, but are closed by black curtains, upon which are sewn figures of a Latin cross, formed of white strips of cloth. The cross in different forms has been recognized as a mystic symbol by all ancient nations.
At the moment of his arrival M. Notovitch found all the Lamas of the convent, with their Laina-in-chief, formed in a circle around the great prayer-wheel. Underncath the veranda scvcral musicians licke drurus and long trumpets. The whole company was anxiously awaiting in silence the commencement of a great religious niystcry which was about to be presented. It is called a religious drama.
On certain days of the year religious dramas arc performed by the Lamas, who call them Tambin Shi, "the bliss of instruction." Sometimes these dramas are performed by thicm in honor of distinguished visit
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