Life and works of Alexander Csoma de Körös : $b A biography compiled chiefly from hitherto unpublished dataDuka, Tivadar
History
Life and works of Alexander Csoma de Körös : $b A biography compiled chiefly from hitherto unpublished data
Duka, Tivadar
Kőrösi Csoma, Sándor, 1784-1842
“He that does not know the supreme intelligence knows not the Tantrika
principles.
“He that does not know these, and creatures like him, are wanderers in
the orb of transmigration, and are out of the path of the Supreme
Conqueror.
“Therefore, Adi-Buddha must be taught by every true Lama, and every
true disciple who aspires to liberation is bound to hear him.”
V.
Translation of a Tibetan Passport, dated A.D. 1688.
In Hyde’s “Historia Veterum Persarum” is an engraving of a passport
granted by the Grand Lama of Lassa to an Armenian, which at the time of
its publication could not be deciphered by any European; and the
learned author was nearly as much misled regarding its character and
the manner of reading it, as was Monsieur Fourmont of the French
Academy on another occasion. It informs us also of the insecurity in
travelling in the countries to which it refers.
The translation of the curious text follows:—
“From the noble city of Lassa, the circumambulating race of
religion.
“To those that are on the road as far as Arya Désa (country of
Aryans, India); to clerical, laical, noble, and not noble lords or
masters of men; to residents in the forts; to stewards, managers;
to Mongols, Tibetans, Turks; to dwellers in tents in the desert; to
envoys and ambassadors going to and fro; to keepers of bye-ways; to
headmen charged to perform any business of small or great
importance;—to all these it is ordered, respecting the four persons
named in the passport, not to hinder, rob, or plunder them, but let
them go to and fro in peace.”
The document is provided with a square seal Seal.
VI.
The Origin of the Shakya Race.
On a certain occasion when Shakya (Sansrgyas, bChom-ldan-hdas, Buddha
Bhagaván) was in Nyagrodha (Árama) grove, near Kapilavastu, many of
the Shakyas who inhabited Kapilavastu being gathered together in their
council-house, questioned one another, saying, “Shes-dan-tak!
(intelligent brethren) whence did the Shakya race spring?
“What is their origin?
“What is the cause or reason thereof?
“What is their ancient descent as a nation? If any one should come and
ask us about these points, we could not tell him whence the Shakyas
originated. Come, let us go to the Bhagaván and ask him to enlighten us
on the subject, that we may abide by his advice.”
Thereupon a very great number of Shakyas, inhabitants of Kapilavastu,
went to the Bhagaván, and after having made their salutation by
prostrating themselves at his feet, sat aside.
In addressing him they explained the cause of their errand, and begged
him to enlighten them.
Bhagaván thought that, should he himself tell the story, his opponents
the Tirthikas and others might say that he was telling only what was
pleasing to himself. Not to give, therefore, an opportunity for such
remarks, he intrusted his disciple Mongalyana to impart the required
information, to which Mongalyana assented.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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