Szilágyi András (szerk.): Ars Decorativa 26. (Budapest, 2008)
Béla KELÉNYI: 'May It Shine like the Sun and Moon!' Consecration Texts from a Tibetan Stüpa
5. PiçVr ribbon made for the salvation of the deceased and requesting the granting of Irishes but with red; on these, however, the writing has become so indistinct that it has become illegible. First of all, I shall introduce those Tibetan texts formulated in verse that ask for the granting of various requests (T.: 'clod gsol). Two scrolls of this first kind remain 10 (ill. 3). From them it emerges not only that this particular stüpa was made for the salvation of a deceased person, but also that — according to the testimony of the text - the pious individual who commissioned it was not unmindful of ensuring his own happiness. According to the upper line of the scroll: 'Concerning the deceased, may bad karma and sins be purified, And may he be reborn free from unfortunate states of existence 11 into glorious higher worlds! 12 May the length of days, well-being, power, wealth, And family lineage of the official (T.: las byed) making this gift increase free of all harm! May this be virtuous!' 13 The stanza on the bottom line of the scroll also contains charitable wishes: 'In brief: may every being, freed from the empires of the lower worlds,' 4 [Having been born] to the glorious upper worlds practise the sacred Dharma! Be cleansed from both obscurations, 15 and fulfil completely the two accumulations 16 , And quickly reach the state of the highest enlightenment! May this be virtuous! 17 There are likewise two scrolls featuring the text below, in front of two fines of which it is written that they are 'additional verses' (T.: spel tshig). 18 According to the text of the upper line, the person who had them made may have belonged to the Geluk (T.: dGe lugs) order, since the name of Tsongkhapa (1357-1419), who founded the order, also features in the verse. 'The single place wholly creating happiness and benefit is nothing other Than the teaching of the Victorious One [i.e. the Buddha], and especially The sutra and mantra 19 of Tsongkhapa, the theory and practice of which should similarly Spread, like the summer lake, in every space and time, And may it shine like the Sun and Moon! May this be virtuous!' 20 The stanza written on the bottom line refers to a Chinese emperor who supported the Geluk order, and to his empire: 'In the world resting on the life and rule of the Supreme, Mahjughosa, 21 May every disease, war, famine, and harm subside; May crops and herds be plentiful and increase, And may practice in harmony with the noble Dharma spread! May this be virtuous!' 22 The introduction in Tibetan to the following three one-line scrolls describes the role of the Sanskrit dháraní 72 that follows on from it. The first scroll is connected with the consecration ceremony.24
