Three years in Tibet : with the original Japanese illustrations / by the Shramana Ekai Kawaguchi.

  • Ekai Kawaguchi
Date:
1909
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: Three years in Tibet : with the original Japanese illustrations / by the Shramana Ekai Kawaguchi. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    the vernacular Tibetan langnage. Finding mo resolute in luy pnrjiose^ Kai Savat, with his unswerving kindness, cheerfully agreed to my request, and arranged for me that I should have a neAV private teacher, besides a regular schooling. It was in this way. Just below llai kSarat’s mansion was a residence which consisted of two small but pretty buildings. Idle residence be- longed to a Lama called Shabdnng, who just then ha])pened not to live there, but in a house in the business quarters of Darjeeling. Eai Sarat sent for this Lama and asked him to teach the “Japan Lama^^ the Tibetan language, the Lama returning to his residence just mentioned with his entire household. Lruna Shabdung was only too pleased to do as was recpicsted, and I was forthwith installed a member of his household, that I might have ample opportunity of learning the popular Tibetan language. On the other hand, I at the same time matriculated into the Government School of Darjeeling, and was there given systematic lessons in the same language by Prof. Tumi Onden, the Head Teacher of the language department of Tibetans in that School. I should not forget to mention here that, while I paid out of my own pocket all the tuition fees and school expenses, as it Avas quite proper that I should, I was made a benehciary of my friend Eai Sarat so far as my board Avas concerned, that good man insisting that to do a little kindness in favor of such a “ pure and noble-hearted man as you are”—as he said—Avas to increase his OAvn ha])piness. Not too Avell stocked Avith the AvhereAvithal as I Avas, I gratefully alloAved myself to be prevailed upon to accejit his generosity. Indeed, I bad only three hundred yen Avith me Avhen I arriAmd at Darjeeling; but, as it Avas, that amount sup])orted me for the seA'enteen months of my stay there. Had I had to pay my oAvn board, I Avould haAm had to cut doAvn my stay there to lialf the length of time.