During my stay in Urga I tried to find an explanation of thislegend about the King of the World. Of course, the Living Buddhacould tell me most of all and so I endeavored to get the story fromhim. In a conversation with him I mentioned the name of the Kingof the World. The old Pontiff sharply turned his head toward meand fixed upon me his immobile, blind eyes. Unwillingly I becamesilent. Our silence was a long one and after it the Pontiffcontinued the conversation in such a way that I understood he didnot wish to accept the suggestion of my reference. On the faces ofthe others present I noticed expressions of astonishment and fearproduced by my words, and especially was this true of the custodianof the library of the Bogdo Khan. One can readily understand thatall this only made me the more anxious to press the pursuit.

As I was leaving the study of the Bogdo Hutuktu, I met thelibrarian who had stepped out ahead of me and asked him if he wouldshow me the library of the Living Buddha and used a very simple,sly trick with him.

"Do you know, my dear Lama," I said, "once I rode in the plain atthe hour when the King of the World spoke with God and I felt theimpressive majesty of this moment."To my astonishment the old Lama very quietly answered me: "It isnot right that the Buddhist and our Yellow Faith should conceal it.

The acknowledgment of the existence of the most holy and mostpowerful man, of the blissful kingdom, of the great temple ofsacred science is such a consolation to our sinful hearts and ourcorrupt lives that to conceal it from humankind is a sin. . . .

Well, listen," he continued, "throughout the whole year the King ofthe World guides the work of the Panditas and Goros of Agharti.

Only at times he goes to the temple cave where the embalmed body ofhis predecessor lies in a black stone coffin. This cave is alwaysdark, but when the King of the World enters it the walls arestriped with fire and from the lid of the coffin appear tongues offlame. The eldest Goro stands before him with covered head andface and with hands folded across his chest. This Goro neverremoves the covering from his face, f............