By The Dalai Lama In Tibet, mountains are often considered the
adobes of deities. For example, Amnye Machen, a mountain in
northeastern Tibet, is regarded as the home of Machen Pomra, one
of the most important deities of Amdo, my home province. Because
all the people of Amdo consider Machen Pomra their special
friend, many of team go round the foot of the mountain on
pilgrimage. Tibetans generally have shown little interest in
scaling the peaks that surround them, perhaps out of deference
to the presiding deities. However, I think there is a more
practical reason. Most Tibetans have to climb far too many
mountain passes to have any wish to climb higher than they must.
When the people of Lhasa sometimes climbed for pleasure, they
chose hills of a reasonable size, and on reaching the top would
burn incense; say prayers and relax with a picnic. Travelers in
Tibet traditionally add a stone to the Cairns at the tops of
hills or passes with a shout of "Lha-gyal-Io- Victory to the
gods". Later, 'Mani stones', stones