60 Extracts from Tibetan Works. [Feb. 



thoughts, my good morals, my virtues, my obligation, and my chastity. 

 Therefore, why should I conceal my face ?" 



Zas-Qtsang-ma, (S. Shuddhodana, the father of Shakya,) her father- 

 in-law, was much pleased with these expressions, and presented 

 he»r with several precious things. He uttered at the same time one 

 sloka, the meaning of which is this : " My son being adorned with such 

 qualities as he has, and my daughter-in-law having such virtuous quali- 

 fications as she describes ; to see two such pure persons united toge- 

 ther, is like when butter and ghee are mixed together." 



As breathing in accordance with the virtuous sentiments of the 

 above favourable specimen of the Tibetan sacred works, we may here 

 extract a curious correspondence, (whether imaginary or real we will 

 not pretend to determine,) stated to have taken place between a princess 

 of Ceylon and the Buddhist saint. This letter is very generally known 

 and admired throughout Tibet, being introduced in every collection of 

 epistolary forms for the instruction of youth. 



Ratndvali's Letter to Shdkya. 



Mutig-chen, (S. Ratnavali,) a young princess of Ceylon, the 

 daughter of the king of Singala, having been informed by some mer- 

 chants of Central India ( Madhyam) of Buddha and of his doctrine ; 

 she was much pleased with it ; and, when those merchants returned 

 home, she sent some presents to Chom-dan-das (Shakya), with a 

 letter of the following contents : 



" Reverenced by the Suras, Asuras, and men ; really delivered from 

 birth, sickness, and fear ; Lord ! who art greatly celebrated by thy far 

 extending renown, from the Sage's ambrosial portion, kindly grant me ! 

 (meaning religious instruction or wisdom.") 



Shakya received this letter, and sent to the princess a picture of 

 Buddha on cotton cloth, with some verses written above and below the 

 image, containing the terms upon which refuge is obtained with Buddha, 



