ANALYSIS OF THE MYANG-HDAS, AND GYUT. 



487 



VI. (MYANG-fiTDAS.) 



Another division of the Kah-gyur, styled in Tibetan (^^) Mya-nan- 

 las-hdas-pa" or by contraction, " Myang-hdas," (Sans. Nirvana), contains two 

 volumes, marked by Ka and Kha, the two first letters of the Tibetan alphabet. 



The title of these two volumes is, in Sanscrit, " Mahd parinirvdna sutra'' 

 Tib. ^^26) « Yongs-su-mya-nan-las-\\das-pa-ch'hen-pohi-m.do" A sutra on the 

 entire deliverance from pain. Subject — Sha'kya's death, under a pair of 

 Sal trees, near the city of Kusha, (Tib. (^^^^ ) or Kdmarupa in Assam. Great 

 lamentation of all sorts of animal beings on the approaching death of Sha'kya 

 — their offerings or sacrifices presented to him — his lessons, especially with 

 respect to the soul. His last moments his funeral — how his relics were divided, 

 and where deposited. 



ooo 



VII. (GYUT.) 



The last division of the Kah-gyur, is that of " "Rgyud-sdS," or sim- 

 ply " IRgyud." Sans. " Tantra,'' or the Tantra class, in twenty-two volumes. 

 These volumes, in general, contain mystical theology. There are descriptions 

 of several gods and goddesses. Instructions for preparing the mandalas, or 

 circles, for the reception of those divinities. Offerings or sacrifices presented 

 to them for obtaining their favour. Prayers, hymns, charms, &;c. he. addressed 

 to them. There are also some works on astronomy, astrology, chronology, 

 medicine, and natural philosophy. The titles (both Sanscrit and Tibetan) of 

 the several works, according to the volumes marked by the letters of the 

 Tibetan alphabet, are as foUow : — 



127- x-atf^cjg'c^' jgjt^ 1 or f s 



