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held by Nicholas Roerich, a patron of culture, with various lamas and Tibetans as he travelled in that region with his wife in the 1920s have been recorded in various books—beginning with those by Roerich himself, including Altai-Himalaya (1929) [see review this issue] and Shambhala (1930). (His artwork is still displayed at the Nicholas Roerich Museum at 319 West 107th Street in New York City.) Roerich wrote: "I remembered how, dur- ing our crossing of the Karakorum Pass, my sais, the Ladaki, asked me: 'Do you know why there is such a peculiar upland up here? Do you know that in the subter- ranean caves here, many treasures are hid- den, and that in them lives a wonderful tribe which abhors the sins of the Earth?’ And again when we approached Khotan the hooves of our horses sounded hollow, as though we rode above caves or hollows. Our caravan people called our attention to this... When we saw entrances of caves, our caravaneers told us: 'Long ago, people lived there; now they have gone inside; they have found a subterranean passage to that subterranean kingdom." Here are some most important passages of a conversation which Roerich had with a Tibetan lama in 1928. Roerich: Lama, tell me of Shambhala. Lama: But you Westerners know noth- ing about Shambhala—you wish to know nothing. Probably you ask out of curiosity; and you pronounce this sacred word in vain. After some cajoling by Roerich, the 4 Lama studied him and replied: Portrait of Nicholas Roerich in Tibetan Robes Lama: Great Shambhala is far beyond (Source: www.roerich.org/online_collection/n/Nicholas_Roerich.html) the ocean. It is the mighty heavenly undiscovered by travellers? On maps you Buddhism and a Tibetan doctor, lectured in domain. It has nothing to do with our may see so many routes of expeditions. It the San Jose, California, area and made a Earth. How and why do you people take appears that all heights are already marked reference to Agharta. His title is His interest in it? Only in some places, in the and all valleys and rivers explored. Holiness Orgyen Kusum Lingpa, so it Far North, can you discern the resplendent Lama: ...But, as yet these people have seems that he belongs to a certain lineage rays of Shambhala... The secrets of not found all things—so, let a man try to and might be privy to ancient information Shambhala are well guarded. reach Shambala without a call! You have on the matter. Lamprecht wrote: Roerich: Lama, we know the greatness heard about the poisonous streams which "While lecturing in San Jose, this lama of Shambhala. We know the reality of this encircle the uplands. Perhaps you have _ stated that Agharta could be reached from indescribable realm. But we also know even seen people dying from these gases India by flying northwards for seven days. about the reality of the earthly Shambhala. when they come near them... Many people I would assume the lama's references were We know some high lamas have visited try to reach Shambhala, uncalled. Some of to the speed at which the bird might fly. If Shambhala... We know the stories of the them have disappeared forever. Only afew that is so, then the average bird flying Buryat Lama, of how he was accompanied of them reach the holy place, and only if northwards from India for seven days through a very narrow secret passage... So _ their karma is ready. would easily reach the Arctic. do not tell me about the heavenly "Roerich's lama had stated that Shambhala only, but also about the one on Mo recently, Jan Lamprecht wrote Shambhala lies in the Far North. Could Earth...because I know that a real one about this subject matter in his book, _ this be a reference to the Arctic Ocean?" 00 exists on Earth... Lama, how does it Hollow Planets (1998). A Tibetan lama, (Source: Edited from the web page happen that Shambhala on Earth is still who is a renowned teacher of Vajrayana www.skywebsite.com/hollow/arctic/) Mo recently, Jan Lamprecht wrote about this subject matter in his book, Hollow Planets (1998). A Tibetan lama, who is a renowned teacher of Vajrayana NEXUS ¢ 69 FEBRUARY — MARCH 2002 www.nexusmagazine.com