Tuesday, August 11, 2026 · 天火 · tianmu.org
Myths, Tales, and Sayings
Early Tibetan mythic narratives, folktales, divine journeys, lineage stories, and proverb collections.
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Texts
The Dialogue of Dmu and PhyvaA pre-Buddhist Tibetan diplomatic narrative from the Dunhuang caves — an envoy of Phyva travels to the glacier-ringed land of Dmu and is tested three times by Lord Dmu before receiving an audience. Pelliot tibétain 126, lines 104–168. First English translation from Old Tibetan.The Peacock BrideA Dunhuang folktale of transformation and marriage — a girl escapes an ogress by becoming a peacock, then is captured on a young man's wool spindle and transforms into his bride.The Sum pa Mother's SayingsOld Tibetan proverbs of the Sum pa people — a mother's wisdom on family, leadership, and the nature of things, from the Dunhuang cave manuscripts.The Traces of the Secret BonA pre-Buddhist Tibetan mythological narrative from Pelliot tibétain 1040 — the lineage of Rgyal Byin traced through three marriages: to a god of the Dmu realm, to the lord Gseng Lde Ri, and to a monkey-faced stranger whose skin is burned in the fire. Six magical transformations, the taboo of the copper pot, tears of blood on the white rock, and the wandering of sacred treasures through Nepal and Glo to the legendary Zhangzhung capital of Khyung Lung. 137 lines from the sealed cave library at Dunhuang. First English translation.