The old Tibetan New Year.

[ratmmjess]

"When the New Year was celebrated in Lhasa, the capital of the 'Land of the Snows,' the Tibetans turned life upside down. In former times this was even done so drastically, that most laymen went out of town for fear of the innumerable begging monks, whom they could not refuse generous alms upon this festival, and whom they also had to receive as

Comments

[casaubon]

The dice game is kind of awesome.

I wonder what would happen if by some misadventure the monk lost. Obviously it wouldn't happen in reality, but as a story idea it's got possibilities, especially if the chosen scapegoat had some talent in sleight of hand. :)

[notthebuddha]

He was the scapegoat, allowed to spend a week among the flesh-pots of Egypt

Isn't it rather a longer walk than that from Tibet?

[casaubon]

If he's going to be murdered, the least they can do is stump up for a decent vacation for him. :)