376 Analysis of the Kah-gynr. [Sept. 



The first work, entitled the Shes-rab kyipha roltu phyin pa — sHong 

 phrag Br.gya-pd (or H. bum), or in Sanscrit A ryd Bhagavati Sata 

 Sahasrika Prajnd Pdramitd, consists as the designation imports of 

 100,000 slokas or stanzas. It occupies 12 volumes, divided into 75 

 books and 303 sections. 



The second work is nothing more than an abridgement of the preced- 

 ing, in which the number of stanzas is 25,000, whence its name the 

 Panchavinsati Sahasrika. It occupies 3 volumes. 



The third work is also an abridgement of the first, in 18,000 stanzas, 

 or Asthadasd Sahasrika. It likewise occupies three volumes. 



The fourth work in one volume is the Dasd Sahasrika, an 

 abridgement of the second work in the collection, in which the 25,000 

 stanzas are reduced to 10,000; and the fifth work is a final abridge- 

 ment of the whole, in which the number of stanzas is brought down 

 to 8,000, contained in one volume. 



The twenty-first and last volume of this division of the Kah-gyur 

 is entitled S'na-ts-hogs, or the miscellany. It comprises 18 different 

 treatises, all of the class of Sutras*, (original preceptive authorities,) and 

 explanatory of the doctrines taught in the preceding volumes, in a 

 summary form and commonly in verse. 



As might be expected from their more compendious form, several of 

 these are of more general currency than the original, and they may be re- 

 garded as the popular representations of the metaphysical speculations 

 of Buddhism. Thus the fifth tract, entitled the Vajrachhedika, the 

 cutter of adamant, in which the true sense of the Prajnd Pdra- 

 mitd is explained by Sakya to his disciple Subhuti in 18 leaves, 

 is frequently met with in Tibet, in a detached form. The five 

 last treatises are denominated from the Bodhisatwas, to whom they are 

 addressed, the Prajnd Pdramitd of Surya-gerbha, Chandra-ger. 

 bha, Samanti-bhadra, Vajrapdni, and Vujraketu. In one of the 

 number, a specimen of mysticism occurs. It is called the Prajnd 

 Pdramitd Sarva Tathdgata Ekakshari, or the mono-literal trans- 

 cendental wisdom of all the Buddhas, and refers the essence and origin 

 of all things to the first letter of the alphabet, or A. For this being 

 the first element of speech, all instruction is derived from it, all wisdom 

 obtained, and it is hence to be regarded as the mother of the Bod- 

 hisatwas, the essential means of final liberation, and the substance of the 

 Prajnd Pdramitd. 



* Mr. Hodgson says, Stitra is often explained Mula (root) Grantha, and Buddha 

 vachana, or words of Buddha.— As. R. vol. xvi. 



