DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.649#0087
62 BUDDHISM IX TIBET.
combined with profound meditation, to seek salvation
and eternal welfare in a future re-birth and final emanci-
pation from metempsychosis. In order to attain success
and the more readily impose upon the tribes they were
about to convert to a new religion, the first teachers of
Buddhism in Tibet were most probably induced to ascribe
to themselves supernatural qualities, and to yield, in
minor points of discipline, to some of the ideas of
their neophytes. Many suggestions to this effect are to
be found in the sacred Tibetan books, as in the Bodhimor.
and in the history of Ssanang Ssetsen, which teems with
the miraculous and wonderful works performed by early
Buddhist priests. Again, it is related that Padma Sam-
bhava's first labour was the subduing of the dreadful
demon who rose up in opposition to prevent his enter-
ing Tibet. His scholars are said to have derived from
the instructions he gave them on the proper employ-
ment of charms, the power of performing most extra-
ordinary deeds.1 Thus, they caused good harvests, and
similar prosperous events, taught the Tibetans some of
the arts and sciences which were then practised in the
more advanced civilization of China and India (whence
they came), but were discreet enough, after a while, to
attribute all their successes to the worship of the images
and relics of >>akyamuni.
With regard to the introduction of Buddhism into the
Eastern part of Tibet we are now in possession of many
positive data, though here also the early history is in-
1 Schmidt, "Ssanang Ssetsen's Geschichte der Ostmongolen," pp. -11. l.'i,
356. Compare •' Forschungen," p. 130.
combined with profound meditation, to seek salvation
and eternal welfare in a future re-birth and final emanci-
pation from metempsychosis. In order to attain success
and the more readily impose upon the tribes they were
about to convert to a new religion, the first teachers of
Buddhism in Tibet were most probably induced to ascribe
to themselves supernatural qualities, and to yield, in
minor points of discipline, to some of the ideas of
their neophytes. Many suggestions to this effect are to
be found in the sacred Tibetan books, as in the Bodhimor.
and in the history of Ssanang Ssetsen, which teems with
the miraculous and wonderful works performed by early
Buddhist priests. Again, it is related that Padma Sam-
bhava's first labour was the subduing of the dreadful
demon who rose up in opposition to prevent his enter-
ing Tibet. His scholars are said to have derived from
the instructions he gave them on the proper employ-
ment of charms, the power of performing most extra-
ordinary deeds.1 Thus, they caused good harvests, and
similar prosperous events, taught the Tibetans some of
the arts and sciences which were then practised in the
more advanced civilization of China and India (whence
they came), but were discreet enough, after a while, to
attribute all their successes to the worship of the images
and relics of >>akyamuni.
With regard to the introduction of Buddhism into the
Eastern part of Tibet we are now in possession of many
positive data, though here also the early history is in-
1 Schmidt, "Ssanang Ssetsen's Geschichte der Ostmongolen," pp. -11. l.'i,
356. Compare •' Forschungen," p. 130.