DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.649#0111
#6 THE SACBED IilTEBATUBE.
Then succeeds a history of the creation of the uni-
verse and of the animal beings; the twelve acts, the
Dzadpa chuymji, of Sakyamuni are enumerated,1 and an
account of the erection of the palace on the top of the
mountain Potala is given, followed by a sketch of the
propagation of Buddhism from its beginning till the
death of Srongtsan Gampo.
Chapter II. gives instructions concerning the prayers
to be addressed to Padmapani, and enumerates the im-
mense advantages offered by the frequent perusal, and
recital of the prayer " Om mani padme hum." A discourse
on "voidness" forms the conclusion.
Chapter III. gives the meaning of the prayer "Om
mani padme hum." Remarks are also made upon the
different representations of Padmapani; it is also ex-
plained why he is sometimes represented with three
faces and eight hands, again with eighteen faces and
salvation; but when he saw that but the hundredth part of the Tibetans
had entered the paths of salvation, the longing to return to Sukhavati, came
upon him; and it was in consequence of this desire that his head clove
into ten pieces (not into a thousand pieces as the Mani Kambum has it)
and his body was divided into a thousand pieces; Amitabha afterwards
repaired the corporeal damages.
1 The Tibetan biographies of Sakyamuni are divided into twelve chapters,
taken from his twelve acts, which are as follows: "1. He descended from
among the Gods; 2. he entered into the womb; 3. he was born; 4. he
displayed all kinds of arts; 5. he was married, or enjoyed the pleasures of
the conjugal state; 6. he left his house and took the religious character;
7. he performed penances; 8. he overcame the devil, or god of pleasures;
9. he arrived at supreme perfection, or became Buddha; 10. he turned the
wheel of the law, or published his doctrine; 11. he was delivered from pain,
or died; 12. his remains were deposited (in a Chorten)." Csoma, "Notices on
the life of Shakya." A. R. Vol. XX., p. 285. Compare also Schmidt, "Ssanang
Ssetsen," p. 312. Schiefner, "Tib. Lebensbeschreibung Sakyainuni's." ilemoires
des sav. etrang., Vol. VI., p. 232.
Then succeeds a history of the creation of the uni-
verse and of the animal beings; the twelve acts, the
Dzadpa chuymji, of Sakyamuni are enumerated,1 and an
account of the erection of the palace on the top of the
mountain Potala is given, followed by a sketch of the
propagation of Buddhism from its beginning till the
death of Srongtsan Gampo.
Chapter II. gives instructions concerning the prayers
to be addressed to Padmapani, and enumerates the im-
mense advantages offered by the frequent perusal, and
recital of the prayer " Om mani padme hum." A discourse
on "voidness" forms the conclusion.
Chapter III. gives the meaning of the prayer "Om
mani padme hum." Remarks are also made upon the
different representations of Padmapani; it is also ex-
plained why he is sometimes represented with three
faces and eight hands, again with eighteen faces and
salvation; but when he saw that but the hundredth part of the Tibetans
had entered the paths of salvation, the longing to return to Sukhavati, came
upon him; and it was in consequence of this desire that his head clove
into ten pieces (not into a thousand pieces as the Mani Kambum has it)
and his body was divided into a thousand pieces; Amitabha afterwards
repaired the corporeal damages.
1 The Tibetan biographies of Sakyamuni are divided into twelve chapters,
taken from his twelve acts, which are as follows: "1. He descended from
among the Gods; 2. he entered into the womb; 3. he was born; 4. he
displayed all kinds of arts; 5. he was married, or enjoyed the pleasures of
the conjugal state; 6. he left his house and took the religious character;
7. he performed penances; 8. he overcame the devil, or god of pleasures;
9. he arrived at supreme perfection, or became Buddha; 10. he turned the
wheel of the law, or published his doctrine; 11. he was delivered from pain,
or died; 12. his remains were deposited (in a Chorten)." Csoma, "Notices on
the life of Shakya." A. R. Vol. XX., p. 285. Compare also Schmidt, "Ssanang
Ssetsen," p. 312. Schiefner, "Tib. Lebensbeschreibung Sakyainuni's." ilemoires
des sav. etrang., Vol. VI., p. 232.