II. A Tibetan Funeral Prayer. 

 By Davasamdup, Head Master, State B. B. School 



Introduction. 



The authorship of this prayer is ascribed to the first great 

 Tibetan Buddhist King-Srongtsan-sGampo during whose reign 

 Buddhism was introduced into Tibet from Nepal and China. 

 Srongtsan-Garapo himself was believed to have been the In- 

 carnation of the eleven-headed Chenrezi (Avalokitesvara). 

 And it was also Srongtsan-Gampo who first introduced the 

 well-known Buddhist prayer of six syllables " Om-mani-padme 

 hum." This present prayer or hymn is sung to the Refrain 

 of " Om-mani-padme-hum." It is not only a funeral but also 

 chanted on solemn occasions on fast days, and other Chenrezi 

 Holidays— on the 8th, 10th and full moon and new-moon days 

 of the 1st, 4th, 6th and 7th months (Tibetan). 



Refrain. 



1. 



Refuge mine and source of mercy, Teacher, Deity Protecting ! 

 Whirled am I, yea, every being, on the Wheel of Births and 



Dyings. 

 Were our bones heaped up, they surely would outweigh the 



Triple Loka. 

 Then descend, Lord, and grant me refuge, Thou my precious 



Guru! 

 Save me from Samsara's whirlpool, highest, noblest Lord, 



Chenrezi ! 



2 



Full nine months, the tenth preparing, in the womb my mother 



bore me, 

 Till of heat and cold the working forced me down the bony 



pathway. 

 Naked on the naked ground I fell and entered thus existence. 



Then descend, etc., etc. 



3. 



Impious though garbed in yellow, I am Prince most hypo- 



critic. 



Come unto my stature's fullness, unto manhood's years 

 attained, 



