1936 - 1937 Mission Diary

The official diary of the Gould mission to Lhasa sent by the British government. Read more about the mission diary.

September 19th, Saturday, Lhasa.

see photographs below

Today there were three callers.

The Yapshi Phopon, who is the Curator of the Norbhu Lingka spoke freely and intelligently. He gave a broad hint that he would like to see British mediation`between the Tashi Lama and the Tibetan Government. He is the elder brother of Yutok Depon, one of the most able of the younger officials. At one time it was rumoured, apparently without foundation, that the Yapshi Phopon was the father of a possible reincarnation of the Dalai Lama.

TseTrung Cho-den Tendar the Telegraph master, who is doing excellent work in despatching and receiving without many code telegrams, speaks English of a sort. In his spare time he runs a school and teaches such English he knows to the sons of several officials.

Seg-sing-pa Mi Pon, is a city Magistrate and colleague of Kyipup.

When the callers had gone we went again to the Norbhu Lingka where the Yapshi Pho pon showed us over the newest palace, the Chinese Lingka. It contains some attractive frescoes and fine, painted and gilded wood carving. Here, as in the other palaces each room used by the Dalai Lama is as he left it. On his formal throne where his image now sits, are his golden ceremonial vessels; in front of his ordinary divan are his tea cup of gold and jade and an offering of fruit awaiting his reincarnation.

Author: Hugh Richardson [see handwritten annotations in Diary by Hugh Richardson in MS. Or. Richardson 2, Bodleian Libary, Department of Oriental Collections, University of Oxford]

Page Reference: Pt VI p.3