Two inscriptions found in Thubchen Lhakhang and Jampa Lhakhang of Lo Monthang We believe that the inscriptions given here are not complete. In addition to those missing sentences or phrases, indicated below by ellipsis periods or dashes, some passages may have been incorrectly copied. Because of these reasons, it is impossible at this stage to provide a sound translation of the inscriptions. Inscription found in the Thubchen Lhakhang THUGS (THUB?) CHEN LHA KHANG------ // THE TEMPLE OF THE GREAT BUDDHA 1. zur phud lnga pa'i brgyud bzhin yan lag drug bcu stan (ldan) pa'i gsung // 2. rin chen 'byung gnas bcu yi gter bzhin zab cing rgya che'i thugs mnga ba // 3. kun mkhyen rgyal ba'i sras kyi thu bo sa yi snying po rgyal gyur cig // // 1-3. Like the tantra of Manjushri, which has sixty different characteristics, even thus is the voice of Kshitigarbha--principal son of the All-knowing Victorious One [the Buddha], whose mind is as profound and comprehensive as the source of ten jewels: be Victorious! 4. mi dbang sa yi dbang phyug 'di yis legs byas dpal 'byor bzang po la / ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5. lan cig min par rgyal ba'i spyod pa rlabs chen bstan pa yis // 6. srid las 'das kyang 'gro ba'i lam 'dir srid pa'i tshul 'dzin pa // ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 7. sa le rnam dkar las kyi ri mo 'di ni e ma mtshar // // 4-7. By means of the wealth of the good deeds of the ruler, the lord of earth. ----------------------------------------------- The great salutary actions of the Buddha are continually illuminated, Although you have overcome the shortcomings of Samsara, Yet you have come, embodied in Samsaric form, into this realm of beings. 8. lugs gnyis bya ba'i khur gyi mi ngal zhing // 9. rnam dpyod blo gros mchog tu mi smin la // 10. longs spyod gser gyi dra bas gdon pa'i -- // 11. rje dpon a med dad pa'i sbyin bdag yin // 8-11. He is never tired of the dual activities of religion and earthly rule. He also has great wisdom and his wealth resembles the magnificence of a golden net. Ruler A-me (pal), pious benefactor! 12. 'od zer dra ba'i ri mo 'di ni 'jig rten gyi // 13. -----------------------------gzhan gyi min // 14. 'on kyang srid brtan pir gyi 'du byed sprul ba na // 15. tshangs pa bdag kyang gdon bzhi sprul nas blta bar brtsom // // 12-15. As for these, drawing the luminous net of light is the world's.... not comparable with others. However, the paintings created are so magnificent that even Brahma, who manifests with four faces, would be moved to admire them. 16. gzhan phan sems kyi 'od zer can // 17. snying stobs chen po'i rta ljang gis // 18. 'gro ba'i ma rig mun sel ba // 19. sems pa mchog gi dge legs gyur // // 16-19. You have the luminous spirit of one who benefits others, And great courage, life-giving like the sun, With them you dispel the ignorance of living beings, Hail, supreme spirit! 20. tshangs dang rgya sbyin dbang po'i dgra la sogs // 21. 'jig rten che bar grags pa thams cad kyi // 22. ral pa'i cod pan sa la 'grems mdzad pa // 23. thub pa dpal sbas mchod pas mnyes par byas // // 20-23. The magnificent Buddha, who was venerated with prostrations by the powerful deities of the world, such as Brahma, Indra and the demi-gods, be pleased with the offerings. 24. gser gyi sa gzhi baidur yaya me tog gsar bas rnam par byas // 25. mchog mdzes sdong bu'i lding khang dang ldan byi ru'i 'khri shing mgo sogs gyo// 26. rin chen ba gam 'od kyi nye bar 'khyud // 27. mu tig dmar pos spras pa'i khri la chos kyi bdud rtsi'i 'gums // // 24-27. The golden floor [of the temple] is decorated with flowers made of blue jewels. This magnificent building is erected with Pagsam [wish-fulfilling] wood and its pillars are made of corals. This precious temple is surrounded by light. The temple's throne is decorated with red pearls. 28. OM SVASTI // Hail! 29. mar gad nyi 'od dang 'grogs sku yi dpal ni mngon dga' zhing // 30. zhing mchog gtso bo thub dbang do shal na zas mdzes // 31. mdzes sdug 'od kyis 'gro ba'i sgrib sel nyes pa kun las bsrungs // // 29-31. The glory of the statue, green [Jade] in color, with the light of the sun, is delightful. The Buddha, chief of the supreme world, is beautiful with garlands, ornaments and garments. This wonderful light dispels the delusions of living beings and protects them from harm. 32. mi dbang mchog tu mi zad mthu ldan gang // 33. gang na bsod nams phul byung dar ba'i mchog // 34. mchog tu mngon sum gyi(s) mtshon dge ba'i dpal // 35. dpal 'di skye ba gzhan du nye ba nyid // // 32-35. This powerful lord of men will be reborn in the world where abundant virtue prevails. He will live in happiness, which he will enjoy as well in later lives. 36. lha dbang drun na nye dbang ltar gnas cing (shing) // 37. legs pa'i spyod la rjes su spyod byed pa // 38. ya rabs mchog 'dis ya rabs ji bzhin du // 39. chos nyid bzang pos nor bu 'di bsgrubs (-?) // // 36-39. He will stay in the presence of the God King [Indra], like his minister. He will engage in deeds of kindness. Because according to nature, kind deeds bear good fruit, thus through his virtuous nature, he has completed this jewel [the temple]. 40. rig pa phul byung mkhas pa'i mdun sar mkhas pa yi // 41. yid kyi dga' ston ston par de la skal bzang can // 42. ri mo'i rnam 'phrul ---------------- // 43. bsod nams rgya mtshos rab bskrun pa'i // 44. ye shes chen po'i dpag bsam shing // 45. 'gro ba'i re skong nor bu che // 46. dge legs dpag med rtsol bar mdzad // // 40-46. How wonderful that the artist offered his excellent work, Precious, a rare feast for scholars. The manifestations of the drawing.... The wish-fulfilling tree of the great wisdom, generated by means of limitless merits, is the great jewel that fulfills the wishes of living beings. May it yield immeasurable comfort and prosperity. 47. rin chen sna bdun ra ba dang ldan rab gsal 'od kyi 'phren bas 'khyud // 48. sa snying ra ba'i skyes tshal do rar srid me pa la yun ma ldem // 49. bzhin bzang nu ma'i ge sar ngom shing yid bzhin nor bu'i dgos pas brtsan // 50. lha mi'i ---bde tshogs 'byor bas mngon dga' thos pa'i sgron 'di'o // // 47-50. The fence of seven jewels is embraced by garlands of clear light. The entrance court and the garden are surrounded by a golden hedge [fence]. She boasts of her beauty and her breasts, like blossoms. She is like the wish-fulfilling jewel. How wonderful is the happiness of humans and gods! 51. de la snying rje yun ring 'bri ba bzhin // 52. de ni snying rje nam yang yongs ma btang // 53. las kyi dbang gis de ltar de gyur gtam // 54. de nyid mthu yi(s) de ni de ltar gyur // // 51-54. Although compassion has waned for a long time, The king's compassion has never ceased. Hence, the work of temple construction was done with the power of [the king]. Inscription found in the Jampa Lhakhang 55. BYAMS CHEN GZI 'OD 'BAR BA'I GTSUG LAG KHANG // 55. THE TEMPLE OF THE MAJESTICALLY RADIATING LIGHT, GREAT MAITREYA. 56. khams gsum 'khor ba nyon mongs las --- // 57. rgyal mdzad rdo rje sems pa'i skur bstan nas // 58. mi bskyod rdo rje khro bo'i tshul 'dzin pa // 59. gsum pa'i khams gsum rnam rgyal la phyag 'tshal // // 56-59. Having appeared in the form of Vajrasattva in order to liberate the three realms of Samsara from mental afflictions, Vajra Akshobya assumes a wrathful form. Prostration to the wrathful Khamsum Namgyal [Trailokya-vijaya]. 60. lha chen la sogs 'jig rten rjes bzung phyir // 61. rnam par snang mdzad thugs las sprul pa yis // 62. khro bo'i rgyal po me ltar 'bar ba la // 63. lha chen brgyad kyi(s) bskor ba la phyag 'tshal lo // // 60-63. In order to guide great worldly deities such as Mahadeva, Vairocana's mind manifests as Metar Barwa, the wrathful king, surrounded by eight Great Deities. To you (we) prostrate. 64. 'gro ba'i chos can sgrib pa'i bud shing rnams // 65. 'di 'jigs byed dgu yis bskor la phyag 'tshal lo // // 64-65. The fiery fuel that feeds the delusions of living beings.... Prostration to (him) who is surrounded by nine Jikjhe, the wrathful deities. 66. khro bo rnam kyi bgegs dpung zhi bar mdzod // 67. chos skyong rnams kyis las rnams dge bar mdzod // 68. 'jig rten skyong bas 'jig rten chos bzhin skyong // 69. bstan bsrung 'khor bcas rnams la phyag 'tshal lo // // 66-69. May the wrathful deities pacify the armed host of demons. May the Dharma Protectors make all deeds wholesome. May the earthly rulers rule the world in accord with Dharma. Prostration to the Dharma Protectors and their retinue. 70. rgyal ba'i sku gsung thugs kyi gtsug lag 'di // 71. mthong thos reg pa tsam gyi(s) grol ba dang // 72. phyag sogs bskor ba tsam gyi(s) grol ba dang // 73. yid la bsam pa tsam gyis grol ba sogs // // 70-73. This temple of the body, speech and mind of the Buddha, offers liberation just by seeing, hearing and touching it. And by prostration alone, and circumambulation, it offers liberation. And if one only contemplates it in one's mind, it offers liberation. 74. 'di bzhin dge ba rab dkar dri med des // 75. sbyin bdag sku mched sras dang btsun mor bcas // 76. 'gro kun sgrib sbyangs tshogs gnyis rab rdzogs nas // 77. kun mkhyen rgyal ba'i go 'phang myur thob shog // // 74-77. Similarly, by that pure and wholesome merit, may the patron brothers, their sons and wives, as well as all living beings, having purified their delusions and perfected the two accumulations [of merit and knowledge], quickly attain the state of Omniscient Buddha. 78. gang zhig mthong ba nyi ma'i mdangs 'phrog pa // 79. byams chen 'gro ba'i mun sel nor bu 'di // 80. drung chen brtson pa'i gru gzings la brten nas // 81. gdul bya skal ldan mtshan dpes mthong ba mtshar // // 78-81. This precious Great Maitreya, dispelling the darkness of living beings and stealing the rays of the sun, is here given to us through the mighty effort of the Artist. When seeing it, the fortunate followers can see the major and minor marks [of the Buddha]; that is wonderful! 82. dus gsum rgyal ba'i bstan pa srung ba'i phyir // 83. khro bo can la khro bo'i skur bstan nas // 84. log 'dren bdud dpung 'joms par mdzad pa yi // 85. khro chen 'jig rten skyong la phyag 'tshal lo // // 82-85. For the purpose of protecting the teaching of the Buddhas of the three ages, having appeared in the form of a wrathful deity for those possessed by anger, destroying the army of Mara. Prostration to the protector of the world, the Great Wrathful One. 86. stong pa nyid kyi ye shes rdo rje yis // 87. dngos por blta ba'i ri bo mthon po rnams // 88. kun nas 'joms mdzad rdo rje sems pa la // 89. khro chen brgyad kyis bskor la phyag 'tshal lo // // 86-89. Prostration to Vajrasattva, surrounded by eight great wrathful deities, who completely destroys overweening egoism and greed through the Vajra-like wisdom of emptiness. 90. dus gsum rgyal ba'i 'phrin las gcig bsdus pa // 91. 'gro ba 'dul phyir khro bo'i skur bstan pa / 92. rab 'jigs khro chen me ltar 'bar ba la // 93. gza' brgyad rgyu skar gyis bskor phyag 'tshal lo // // 90-93. The activity embodiment of the Buddhas of the three ages, manifested in a wrathful form in order to save living beings. Prostration to the wrathful deity Metar Barwa, ferocious in appearance, who is surrounded by the eight planet gods and star goddesses. 94. nyon mong dug ldan rnam par dag pa'i dngos // 95. ye shes lnga yi ngo bos gzhan phan mdzad // 96. rdo rje sems pa'i rigs rnams kun gyi bdag // 97. phyogs ksyong bcu yis bskor la phyag 'tshal lo // // 94-97. Prostration to Vajrasattva, surrounded by the deities of the ten directions, who presides over all the Buddha entities, and who benefits living beings through the five transcendent wisdoms that are free from poisonous mental afflictions. 98. rgyal ba kun gyi ye shes gcig bsdus nas // 99. 'khor lo bsgyur ba'i gzugs su legs ston pa // 100. rab dkar 'gying bag rdo rje bril bu bsnams // 101. phyag rdor rgya chen bzhis bskor phyag 'tshal lo // // 98-101. The embodiment of the wisdom of all the Buddhas is manifested in the form of the Universal King, white in color, holding the vajra and bell in his hands. Prostration to Vajrapani, surrounded by the four guardian kings. 102. ser sna sbyong phyir nam mkha'i rgyal po'i sku // 103. mnyam nyid bya grub ye shes ngo bo nyid // 104. don yod grub pa'i las rigs phyag 'tshal lo // // 102-104. In order to eliminate meanness, he manifested as the king of the heavens, In fact, he is the embodiment of the wisdom of equality and accomplishment. Prostration to the Amoghasiddhi family. 105. gdul bya 'dul phyir 'od dpag med pa'i gsung // 106. kun khyab spyan ras gzigs kyi skur bstan pa // 107. so sor kun rtog ye shes ngo bo nyid // 108. 'gro ba 'dul ba'i las rigs phyag 'tshal lo // // 105-108. The speech of Amitabha is manifested in the form of all-encompassing Avalokiteshvara in order to save followers. Prostration to the Buddha entities and manifestations that save living beings and which indeed embody the wisdom of discrimination. 109. rdo rje sems dpa' mi 'gyur rdo rje'i thugs // 110. gsal mdzad me long ye shes ngo bo nyid // 111. khams gsum rnam rgyal las rigs phyag 'tshal lo // // 109-111. Wisdom, like a mirror, illuminates the unchangeable Vajra-mind of Vajrasattva. Prostration to the lineage of Khamsum Namgyal [Trailokya-vijaya]. 112. rnam par snang mdzad ye shes sgyu ma'i sku // 113. mig 'phrul lta bur gzugs kyi skur bstan nas // 114. chos kyi dbyings kyi ye shes ngo bo nyid // 115. de bzhin gshegs pa'i las rigs phyag 'tshal lo // // 112-115. The wisdom of Vairocana is manifested in an illusionary form, an illusionary body. Prostration to the Tathagata family, which is in essence the wisdom of reality. 116. mi zad nam mkha' mdzod kyi smon lam gyi // 117. gdul bya mtha' yas nam mkha' khyab pa rnams // 118. mtha' med 'khor ba'i 'jigs las skyob mdzad pa // 119. rtsa brgyud rtsa ba'i nam snying la phyag 'tshal // // 116-119. Prostration to the main Bodhisattva Akashagarbha, who protects unlimited beings pervasive to the sky, from the fear of endless samsara through the heavenly treasure of inexhaustible prayers. 120. gang gi khyod sku mthong bar gyur ba'am // 121. khyod gsung lan gcig thos pa tsam gyis kyang // 122. srid zhi'i -d (rgud) pa mtha' dag skyob byed pa // 123. rtsa brgyud rtsa ba'i 'gro 'dul la phyag 'tshal // // 120-123. Prostration to the great savior of living beings: you protect beings from the snares and delusions of the world; [those who] see your body or hear your speech just once, can attain Nirvana. 124. dbang po'i gzhu ltar bkra ba yis // 125. dkyil 'khor thabs shes zung 'jug 'di // 126. bal po dhe ba lha dga' yis // 127. yid lag -------nyi mas 'phrul // // 124-127. These mandalas, uniting wisdom and right method [means], brilliant with multiple colors like Indra's bow, have been created by the heart and hand of Deva Lhaga of Nepal, their effect magical, like the sun. 128. OM SVASTI // Hail! 129. rnam dag chos sku'i nam mkha' yanga pa la // 130. tshogs gnyis rlung gi shugs kyis rab bskyod zhing (cing) // 131. mkhyen brtse cha shas ma lus yongs su rdzogs // 132. sa gsum gsal mdzad skye dgu'i gtsug na rgyal // // 129-132. In the pure, vast space of Dharmakaya, you were moved by the force of the wind of the two accumulations [of merit and knowledge], and have accomplished in full completion every aspect of wisdom and compassion. May you, the illuminator of the three worlds, be victorious among all beings! Copyright (c) 2003 Philip and Marcia R. Lieberman Use Limited to Non-Commercial Purposes