1881.J Sarat Chandra Das— Contributions on Tibet. 187 
Contributions on the Religion , History , Sfc. of Tibet.—By Baboo Sarat 
Chandra Das, Deputy Inspector of Schools , Darjiling. 
I.—THE BON (PON) RELIGION. 
Introduction. 
Lama Je-tsun-lossah Chhoikyi-Nima pal Ssanpo is the author of 
the well known work “ Dub-thah. leg-shad sel-kyi melon” which contains 
short accounts of the various religious systems in ancient India, Tibet, 
Mongolia and China. 1 The first Lama whose avowed incarnation he is 
believed to have been was named Chhoikyi wan-chhyug, whose high 
dignity was recognised by the Emperor of China, by letters patent and the 
presentation of a golden tablet, 3 and who was famous for his knowledge of 
metaphysics and vyakarana and did greatly enhance the cause of Buddhism. 
Our author was born, agreeably to a certain prophecy, at Pah-ri in Amdo, 
in the year fire-serpent of the 12th Cycle, i. e., 1674 A. D., and died in the 
year 1740 A. D. In his boyhood he gave many striking proofs of his 
powerful intellect. Being a divine personage, he easily acquired proficiency 
in the several branches of Buddhist sacred literature. After taking the 
vows of monk-hood, he studied the Sutras and Tantras under many eminent 
Lamas, such as Chankya Rolpai Dorje the spiritual guide of the Emperor 
Kuenlang (Chhin-lun). On his reaching the proper age he was placed 
at the head of the Jam-vyan monastery on the Thi or throne of his pre¬ 
decessors. During his presidency more than 3000 monks used to congregate 
in the monastery for service. He visited Central Tibet, Tsan and Sakya, 
and spent a few years at the Dapun monastery in order to prosecute 
religious studies. Returning to his native country, after a study of seven 
years, he displayed great learning in metaphysics and vyakarana. At this 
time he propitiated the gods Hayagriva, Dorje Phagmo, and others of his 
tutelary deities. He also propitiated the goddess Paldan Lhamo (Kali 
1 The Dub-thah selkyi Melon (grub-mthah sel-kyi me-lon) contains 12 books. 
I have made a literal translation of the 8th and 11th books which treat of the Bon 
religion and the rise and progress of Buddhism in Mongolia. My translations of 
the 9th and 10th books (on Ancient and Mediaeval China) are almost literal. All 
Tibetan names are spelt as pronounced, except those in the lists on pp. 199—201 
which are spelt as written. In Bon the b is pronounced as y (Pon). The nasal conso¬ 
nants c; and ^ are transliterated by n and h respectively, and Q by /*, £ by ts, <1 by tsh 
^ by ds, by sh, ^ by ss. 
2 In the history of Tibet and the lives of Lamas many accounts of presenta¬ 
tion of seals and tablets will be found. The custom of presenting seals and tablets 
and letters patent is still in vogue in Tibet and China. The use of seals by different 
dependencies of China and Tibet is very carefully watched by the Government of those 
countries. A change of official seals generally signifies a change of vassalage. Tablets^ 
like diplomas and letters patent, are given to establish a new ruler or governor in power. 
