[Illustration: MANI PADEE, A BUDDHIST TOMB IN THIBET.] The Thibetans believe that the soul of Buddha dwells in the body of their high-priest or Grand Lama; that, at the time of his death, the soul passes into the body of another person, who is to be the Grand Lama until his death. Thus Buddha is born and re-born over and over again. It is an easy matter to determine into whose body the soul of Buddha enters, because they make it so. It is very much the same as if the chief Lamas were to elect the Grand Lama’s successor, because, in reality, they determine where the soul of Buddha shall be found. At present, however, it seems that the Emperor of China exercises a paramount influence on the discovery of these transmigrations, or, in other words, on the filling up of clerical posts; and there can be no doubt that his influence is supreme in the case of determining the election of the two highest functionaries of this theocracy. In order to ascertain the re-birth of a departed Lama, various means are relied upon. Sometimes the deceased had, before his death, confidentially mentioned to his friends where and in which family he would re-appear, or his will contained intimations to this effect. In most instances, however, the sacred books and the official astrologers are consulted on the subject; and if the Dalai-lama dies, it is the duty of the Pan-chhen to interpret the traditions and the oracles; whereas, if the latter dies, the Dalai-lama renders him the same good service. The proclamation of so great an event, however, as the metempsychosis of any Dalai-lama or Pan-chhen is preceded by a close examination of the child that claims to be in possession of the soul of either of these personages. The re-born arch-saint, usually a boy four or five years old, is questioned as to his previous career; books, garments and other articles used and not used by the deceased are placed before him, to point out those which belonged to him in his former life. But, however satisfactory his answers be, they do not yet suffice. Various little bells, required at the daily devotions of the Lama, are put before the boy, to select that which he did use when he was the Dalai-lama or Pan-chhen. “But where is my own favorite bell,” the child exclaims, after having searched in vain; and this question is perfectly justified, for, to test the veracity of the re-born saint, this particular bell has been withheld from him. Now, however, there can be no doubt as to the Dalai-lama or Pan-chhen being bodily before them. The believers fall on their knees, and the Lamas who successfully performed all these frauds join them in announcing to the world the momentous fact. THE LAMAIST BIBLE. [Illustration: A THIBETAN WOMAN.]