A Letter From China
[Concerning Madame
Blavatsky
and the Great Lama Kut Te Hum]
[Reprinted from The Theosophist (Adyar, Madras, India)
August 1900, pp. 700-701.]
Through the kindness of an Indian Prince we have received a letter written by a gentleman from Simla who was travelling in China, to an Indian friend. The reference to H.P.B. makes it specially interesting. We omit the names from the original letter which is in our possession. — Ed. Note.
RUNG JUNG
MAHAN, CHINA
1st January 1900.MY DEAR — — :
Your letter addressed through His Highness Raja Sahib Hira Singh, reached me while traversing the Spiti mountains. Now I have crossed these mountains and am in the territory of Mahan, China. This place is known by the name of Rung Jung and lies within the territory of the Chinese empire. The place has a great cave and is surrounded by high mountains. It is the chief haunt of Lamas and the favourite resort of Mahatmas. Great Rishis have chosen it on account of its antiquity and beautiful and charming scenery. The place is suited for divine contemplation. A man can nowhere find a place better suited for focussing one's mind. The great Lama, Kut Te Hum, is the guru of all Lamas and has absorbed his attention in the form of Samadhi for the last two and a half months. He is expected to be out of Samadhi after some three and a half months, so it is my chief desire to wait here for that period and personally converse with him. His chelas (disciples) also are ever meditating and trying to absorb themselves in the Great Divine. From conversation with them I came to know that Madame Blavatsky had visited this place and meditated here for some time. Formerly I had doubts as to her arrival here, but all my misgivings have now been removed and I feel confident of her divine contemplation at this holy and sacred place. The lesson and Updesha I received from these Lamas show that the views of the Theosophical Society are not merely visionary and theoretical but are practical schemes. But after a long experience I feel that it is difficult to practise yoga in the plains of Hindustan; that it is possible to do so only in these high mountains. Formerly I used to contemplate for two or three hours per day, and that even with difficulty, now I can sit easily for eight or nine hours, and even more. I am, now-a-days, quite healthy and feel myself better than before. A Bengali Babu named — — — is here with me and has come here for the sake of contemplation and we two will together proceed to Lhassa. These Lamas have got with them a valuable library which I cannot describe to you within this short space. If God wills, this Bengali Babu will accompany me to those parts and will have occasion to see men noble, like you, as soon as he shall have his term of contemplation completed. He serves me in writing letters at times when he is not busy. The Athyas of these Mahatmas and Lamas show that every man should devote a portion of his life in contemplation and should not lead a life of atheism and agnosticism. He should spare a portion of each day in contemplating the Divine Being.
With prayers to the Almighty for your health and welfare,
Yours, &c — —