Page:Three Years in Tibet.djvu/38

up your intention of going to Tibet. It is a very risky undertaking, which it would be worth risking if there were any chance of accomplishing it; but chances are almost entirely against you. You can acquire all the knowledge of the Tibetan language you want, here, and you can go back to Japan, where you will be respected as a Tibetan scholar." I told my host that my purpose was not only to learn the Tibetan language, but that it was to complete my studies in Buddhism. "That may be/ 1 said my host, " and a very important thing it no doubt is with you ; but what is the use of attempting a thing when there is no hope of accomplishing it ? If you go into Tibet, the only thing you can count upon is that you will be killed ! " I retorted : " Have you not been there yourself ? I do not see why I cannot do the same thing." Rai Sarat's rejoinder was : " Ah ! That is just where you are mistaken ; you must know that the times are different, Mr. Kawaguchi. The 'closed door' policy is in full operation, and is being carried out with the most jealous strictness in Tibet to-day, and I know that I will never be able again to undertake another trip into that country. Besides, when I made my trip, I had with me an excellent pass, which I was fortunate to secure through certain means, but there is no means, nor even hope, any longer of procuring such a pass. Under the circumstances I should think it is to your own interest to go home from here, after you have completed the study of the Tibetan language." I knew that my good host meant all that he said ; but I could not allow myself to be prevailed upon. Instead, I utilised the occasion in telling him that further tutelage under Lama Serab was not to my mind, because the aged priest was more anxious to teach me the Tibetan Buddhism than the Tibetan language. I asked Rai Sarat to kindly devise for me some way, by which I might acquire