The Rite and Pedigree of Horses

A pre-Buddhist Tibetan ritual text from the Dunhuang caves (Pelliot tibétain 1060), likely ninth century. The manuscript classifies horses into supernatural categories based on coat color and markings — god-horse, demon-horse, dmu-horse, star-horse, rainbow-horse, cloud-horse, gnyan-horse, nāga-horse, sman-horse, srin-horse, and others — and prescribes ritual offerings for each type.

A second section maps horse colors to cloud colors, establishing a cosmological correspondence between sky and earth: "When the sky's cloud is white, on earth the horse is white-haired." A third section names fourteen cosmic lords who preside over divination omens. A fourth section catalogues thirteen regional kingdoms from Zhang Zhung in the west to Rgya in the east, each with its protective deity, lord, ministers, servants, and signature horse breed.

The text's central terms are cho (rite, ceremony) and 'brang (pedigree, descent). Every horse must have its cho spoken and its 'brang claimed. The most striking passage is a dialogue insisting that even the lowest horse — the piebald whose rite is that of the carrion-eater — still has a rite and a pedigree. Nothing is outside the system.

First English translation from Old Tibetan. Translated from the digital transcription provided by Old Tibetan Documents Online (OTDO), maintained by Tsuguhito Takeuchi, Nathan W. Hill, and colleagues.

The Classification by Coat Color

[...] between [...]

[...] If one does not meet the true lord face to face, then make the milk offering to the horse and pronounce the origin-invocation to the foal.

The offspring of two cheek-marks breeding, the offspring of two fine marks breeding:

If it appears white-haired, it is a horse of the god of horses, and within the divine realm of the high sky it abides. It is a horse of the god of horses. If the gnyan cannot be subdued, if the origin cannot be severed, then: one phumphum measure, one tail hair, one whisker, one mustard-seed measure, one silver cup of libation — with these make the milk offering to the horse and pronounce the origin-invocation to the foal.

If it appears black-haired, it is a horse of the demon. If the gnyan cannot be subdued, if the origin cannot be severed, then: one phumphum measure, one tail hair, one whisker, one mustard-seed measure, one silver cup of libation — with these make the milk offering to the horse and pronounce the origin-invocation to the foal.

If it appears dun and striped, it is a horse of the dmu. If the gnyan cannot be subdued, if the origin cannot be severed — with the offerings make the milk offering to the horse and pronounce the origin-invocation to the foal.

If it appears dark blue and striped, it is a horse of the dmu. Make the milk offering to the horse and pronounce the origin-invocation to the foal.

If it appears white with patterned markings, it is a horse of the star. If the gnyan cannot be subdued, if the origin cannot be severed, then: make the milk offering to the horse and pronounce the origin-invocation to the foal.

If it appears brownish-red, it is a horse of the rainbow. If the gnyan cannot be subdued, if the origin cannot be severed, then: make the milk offering to the horse and pronounce the origin-invocation to the foal.

If it appears grey and striped, it is a horse of the cloud. Make the milk offering to the horse and pronounce the origin-invocation to the foal.

If it appears dark blue with rump patches, it is a horse of the gnyan. Make the milk offering to the horse and pronounce the origin-invocation to the foal.

If it appears vermillion and striped, it is a horse of the nāga. If the gnyan cannot be subdued, if the origin cannot be severed, then: make the milk offering to the horse and pronounce the origin-invocation to the foal.

If it appears pale fawn and spotted, it is a horse of the sman. Make the milk offering to the horse and pronounce the origin-invocation to the foal.

If it appears black with a mottled mane, it is a horse of the srin. If the gnyan cannot be subdued, if the origin cannot be severed, then: pronounce the origin-invocation to the horse.

The offering to the horse is made toward the sky. The origin-invocation to the foal is pronounced toward the earth.

The Cloud Correspondence and the Pedigrees

If the rite is not spoken to the horse and the pedigree is not claimed for the foal, then one will not meet the true lord face to face. Therefore: speak the rite to the horse, and for the foal claim the pedigree.

Know the speech of the white-faced clouds in the sky: when the sky's cloud is white, on earth the horse is white-haired. When the sky's cloud is black, on earth the horse is black-haired. When the sky's cloud is dark-red, on earth the horse is dark-red-haired. When the sky's cloud is blue-green, on earth the horse is blue-green-haired. When the sky's cloud is yellow, on earth the horse is yellow-haired.

The offspring of two cheek-marks breeding:

If it appears white-haired, in the divine realm of the high sky it abides, and it is a horse of the god of horses. Its rite is the rite of the god-horse. Its pedigree is the pedigree of the god-horse. The human family of the mare is the family of the pure-hearted.

If it appears black-haired, it is a horse of the demon. Its rite is the rite of the demon-horse, its pedigree the pedigree of the demon-horse. The human family of the mare is the family of the pure-hearted.

If it appears dark-red with stripes, it is a horse of the dmu. Its rite is the rite of the dmu-horse. Its pedigree is the pedigree of the dmu-horse. The human family of the mare is the family of the pure-hearted.

If it appears pale grey and luminous, its rite is the rite of the moon-horse, its pedigree the pedigree of the moon-horse. The human family of the mare is the family of the pure-hearted.

If it appears dark blue with stripes, its rite is the rite of the sun-horse, its pedigree the pedigree of the sun-horse. The human family of the mare is the family of the pure-hearted.

If it appears white with patterned markings, its rite is the rite of the star-horse, its pedigree the pedigree of the star-horse. The human family of the mare is the family of the pure-hearted.

If it appears dun with stripes, its rite is the rite of the rainbow-horse, its pedigree the pedigree of the rainbow-horse. The human family of the mare is the family of the pure-hearted.

If it appears grey with stripes, its rite is the rite of the cloud-horse. The human family of the mare is the family of the pure-hearted.

If it appears dark blue with rump patches, its rite is the rite of the gnyan-horse, its lineage the lineage of the gnyan-horse. The human family of the mare is the family of the pure-hearted.

If it appears vermillion with stripes, its rite is the rite of the nāga-horse, its pedigree the pedigree of the nāga-horse. The human family of the mare is the family of the pure-hearted.

If it appears pale fawn and spotted, its rite is the rite of the sman-horse, its pedigree the pedigree of the sman-horse. The human family of the mare is the family of the pure-hearted.

If it appears black with a mottled mane, its rite is the rite of the srin-horse. The human family of the mare is the family of the pure-hearted.

If it appears piebald — when the horse dies, crows come and gather, and its rite is of the carrion-eater and its pedigree is of the carrion-eater. The human family of the mare is the family of the pure-hearted.

The lineage-horse's great rite is reckoned from the eagle in the sky; the lesser is reckoned from the earth. If one thinks "the horse has no rite, the foal has no pedigree" — do not speak thus! That is not so! Even the piebald has rite and pedigree — its rite is of the carrion-eater, its pedigree is of the carrion-eater. Indeed!

Therefore: speak the rite to the horse. Claim the pedigree for the foal.

The Gathering of Hundreds

When a hundred white horses are gathered, the white lead stallion is Spo Gangs, and each set of a hundred makes a thousand.

When a hundred black horses are gathered, the lead is Nag Chung Sran Ma Dmyi Ga, and each hundred makes a thousand.

When a hundred dark-red horses are gathered, the lead is Chos Gyi Gtsos Gong Gong, and each hundred makes a thousand.

When a hundred grey horses are gathered, the lead is Thang Brang 'Ol Ka', and each hundred makes a thousand.

When a hundred yellow horses are gathered, the lead is Gser Bye'u Nam Ka' Lding — the Golden Bird Sky-Soarer — and each hundred makes a thousand.

When a hundred mottled horses are gathered, the lead is Khre'u Lo Rmun, and each hundred makes a thousand.

When a hundred dun horses are gathered, the lead is Dang Re, and each hundred makes a thousand.

When a hundred dark horses are gathered, the lead is Ting Phum Po, and each hundred makes a thousand.

Furthermore, the rite is the rite of the mare's heart-purity. The pedigree is the pedigree of the mare's heart. Indeed!

The rite is of the elder-swift and the younger-mind-swift. The pedigree is of the elder-swift and the younger-mind-swift.

As for the horses named Khod De Byang Rtsong and Nag Po Smra Shes and others — recite according to the pattern above.

The Divination Assembly

In the year itself, for those who are assembled in the row: lord and subject shall meet. Man and livestock shall meet. Gold and turquoise shall meet. The heart shall taste joy. The hair shall be newly braided. One shall meet the true lord face to face.

[...] From the sky the nine auspicious omens are cast. When the fivefold omen is to be recounted:

The omen of the god is the omen of the God-Lord Khar Mangs Skyol.

The omen of the boundary is the omen of the Boundary-Lord Thad Kar.

The omen of the demon is the omen of the Demon-Lord Rmang Khug.

The omen of the dmu is the omen of the Dmu-Lord Btsan Ba.

The omen of the moon is the omen of Khri Bo Gang Rgyal.

The omen of the sun is the omen of Mang Rgyal Lho Sa Cung.

The omen of the star is the omen of Spo De Rgyal Ba.

The omen of the rainbow is the omen of Bzang Khug Mo of the Eight Hundred Thousand.

The omen of the cloud is the omen of the Cloud-Lord Khe'u Thung Rmang G.yag Skyes.

The omen of the gnyan is the omen of Sum Tho De Rgyal Ba.

The omen of the nāga is the omen of Rdeng De Bo.

The omen of the sman is the omen of Lady Tsun Chung Ma Ron.

The omen of the gze is the omen of Gze Rgyal Thang Po.

The omen of the srin is the omen of the Srin-Lord Dgu Lchogs.

One phumphum measure, one whisker, one mustard-seed measure, one silver cup of libation — with these the fivefold omen is also recounted. The striping of the wild ass is also determined afterward.

Zhang Zhung and the Offering

When the lineage-horse row is assembled, for those who are present: one shall meet the true lord face to face. On earth, the remains and blessings of the thirteen kings [...]. When the fivefold omen and the distant stripe are recounted and afterward determined:

The territory is the upper domain of Chab. The fort is Khyung Lung Silver Fort. Within it, the king is Lig Snya Shur. The ministers are Khyung Po and Ra Stsang Rje. The servants are Gu Ge and Gug Lchog.

The horse's rite and pedigree — if subdued but not severed, then the mounts are Rod and Mang Rog, Nya Mo and Sbal Tsal and above, with the rite and pedigree of each hundred making a thousand.

If not subdued and not severed — on the peak of a single mountain, together they roam. In the waters of a single valley, together they roam. On the ridge of the meadow's edge they wander and wander. In the narrow valley's depths they huddle and huddle. The grass consumed by the meadow — by the eye's kindness. The water sought — by the upper's bond.

The father-horse receives the blessing. The mother receives the omen-bond. The offspring receives the distant stripe.

One phumphum measure, one tail hair, one whisker, one mustard-seed measure, one silver cup of libation — with these the gods' heart-bond is repaid. Zhang Zhung's gods Mu Rgyung and Stang Rgyung — the heart-bond is repaid, is returned again.

The king's bond is also repaid afterward. The minister's heart-bond — Khyung Po Ra Sang — the lord's heart-bond is also repaid afterward. The god's repayment is also returned afterward. The king's joy is also delighted afterward.

All kings below this, recite in this same manner.

The Kingdoms and Their Horses

Rtsang

The territory is Upper Tsang, within the Dngo Fort of Tsang. The god is Rtsang La'i Bye'u. The lord is Rtsang Rje'i Phyva'. The ministers are Sud Du and Gnang. The servant is Rtsang Kol Re'u Rdzi. The horse is Rtsang Rta Dgol Long Leg Pa'. Each hundred makes a thousand — rite and pedigree cannot be subdued.

Skyi

The territory is Skyi Ro Lngang Sngon, within Mkhar Skyi Mkhar Zo Yong Sngon 'Bu'i. The god is Skyibs La Bya Mang Ngas. The lord is Skyi Rje'i Rmang Po. Shu'u and Spug. The horse is Skyi Rta Skya Ma Lan Kar. Each hundred makes a thousand.

Dbye

The territory is Dbye Mo Yul Dug. The lord is Dbye Rje Mkhar Pa'. The god is Dbye Bla Spyi Bgangs. Pho Gum and Phog Rol. The horse is Dbye Rta Thang Mangs. Each hundred makes a thousand.

Rngegs

The territory is Rngegs Yul Se Mo Gru Bzhi. The god is Rngegs Lha'i Byar Mangs. The lord is Rngegs Rje'i Lin 'Brang. The ministers are Sam Pa and Sa Pod. The horse is Rngegs Rta Sngo Ma Gzhung Bkra'. Each hundred makes a thousand.

Mchims

The territory is Mchims Yul Dgu Sul. The god is Mchims La'i Than 'Tsho. The lord is Mchims Rje Ne'u. The minister is Dang Ding. The horse is Mchims Rta Se'u Gad La Bar. Each hundred makes a thousand.

Lho

The territory is Lho Ga Lang Drug. The god is Lho Bla'i Gang Rgyal. The lord is Lho Rje Lang Ling. The minister is Lho Blon Thog Snar. The horse is Lho Rta Ngang Brang. Each hundred makes a thousand.

Stod

The territory is Stod Ro Lung Gsum. The god is Stod Lha'i Ze. The lord is Stod Rje 'Brong Lom. The horse is Snar 'Brang. Each hundred makes a thousand.

Long Ngam

The fort is Myang Ro Sham Po Dgu Rtsigs Lang Ling. Within it, the king is Long Ngam Rje, together with Ngam Tsha Pyi Brom Dkar Po. The ministers are Ngab Myi and 'Bre Gas. The horse is Ngas Po Rdzi Tong. Each hundred makes a thousand.

Myang

The territory is Myang Yul Shing Nag. The god is Myang Lha'i Bo Mo. The lord is Myang Tsun Gyi Rgya Po. The horse is Myang Rta Nag Bra'. Each hundred makes a thousand.

Rkong

The territory is Rkong Yul Bre Snar. The god is Rkong Lha Tes Legs. The lord is Rkong Rje Dkar Po. The ministers are Mkhar Pa and 'Phan Gtug. The horse is Rkong Rta Rngog Bkra'. Each hundred makes a thousand.

Drug Gu

The territory is Byang Ka' Snam Brgyad, within Mkhar Shu Ba' Ba Leg. The god is Drug Gu'i Lha Yol Dang Re'. The kings are Hir Kin and Dar Kan. The ministers are Dun Rgyus and A Ma Ca'. The servants are Nag Drug and A Ma Ca'. The horses are Hal Tsun and Thog Bya Rmad. Each hundred makes a thousand.

Rgya

The territory is Chab Gyi Ma Gzhug, within Rgya Mkhar Stegs Pa'. The god is Rgya Bla'i 'Brong Nam. The lord is Rgya Rje'i Myi 'Chan. The minister is Rgya Blon Gyi Zing Ba'. The horse is Rgya Rta 'Cham 'Gam. Each hundred makes a thousand.

Their rite and pedigree cannot be subdued, cannot be severed.

The Tally

Twelve kings — with Se Ra, thirteen. Ministers: twenty-four — with Skyang Re Gnag, twenty-five. 'A Yu: twelve — with Hod Gyi Se Mo Gru, thirteen. Forts: twelve — with Dbu Ste Ngam Pa Ra, thirteen.

Their horse's rite and pedigree cannot be subdued, cannot be severed.

To the father-horse, the blessing. To the mother, the omen-bond. To the offspring, the distant stripe.

One phumphum measure, one tail-hair offering, one silver cup of libation — with these the gods' heart-bond is repaid afterward. The king's bond is repaid afterward. The people's heart-bond is repaid afterward.

Colophon

First English translation from Old Tibetan. Translated from the digital transcription of Pelliot tibétain 1060 provided by Old Tibetan Documents Online (OTDO), maintained by Tsuguhito Takeuchi, Nathan W. Hill, and colleagues. The manuscript is held in the Bibliothèque nationale de France, recovered from the Dunhuang caves, likely ninth century.

The text's central terms — cho (rite, ceremony) and 'brang (pedigree, descent) — structure the entire manuscript. The cho is the ritual declaration spoken to a horse; the 'brang is the pedigree claimed for the foal. Together they constitute a formal procedure for establishing a horse's supernatural classification and maintaining the cosmic order.

The text classifies horses into eleven categories in the first section, expands to thirteen (adding moon-horse and sun-horse) in the second section, and names fourteen cosmic lords in the third section (adding gze). This expansion may reflect the text's composite origin or a deliberate layering of the classification system.

The offering formula (phuM phuM tshungs gcIg, rnga ma nyag gcIg, mtshe mo nyag gcIg, yungs mo sgangs gcIg, skyems pa dngul gang) appears five times and is rendered as "one phumphum measure, one tail hair, one whisker, one mustard-seed measure, one silver cup of libation." The exact nature of the phumphum vessel is uncertain.

The regional kingdom catalogue in the fourth section parallels PT 1286 (The Twelve Principalities) but organizes the kingdoms around their signature horse breeds rather than their lords and ministers. Both texts list thirteen kingdoms. Both include Zhang Zhung. Both use the formula "each hundred makes a thousand."

Several terms remain uncertain: kha bang (translated "cheek-marks"), 'o mnyen (translated "milk offering"), sdIg btod (translated "origin-invocation"), do ma (translated "mare"), snyIng dags (translated "pure-hearted" — possibly a clan designation). Damaged passages in lines 1–2 and 50 are marked with [...].

No reference translation was consulted. The English is independently derived from the Old Tibetan.

Compiled and formatted for the Good Work Library by the New Tianmu Anglican Church, 2026.

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Source Text: རྟའི་ཆོ་འབྲང (Rta'i Cho 'Brang)

Old Tibetan source text from Pelliot tibétain 1060, Bibliothèque nationale de France. Digital transcription provided by Old Tibetan Documents Online (OTDO). Presented here for reference, study, and verification alongside the English translation above.

(1) [---] bar /
(2) [---] [yab? mya? slabs? rtsa? sha? rtsa? na? gda'?] [mya] mnabs / / [rje?] bden dang zhal [myI?] mjal na' / / rta la 'o mnyen
(3) rmang la sdIg bthod na' / / kha bang gnyIs 'tshos gyI bu ra yag gnyIs 'tshos bu / spu dkar du byung na rta lha 'I rta ste lha yul gung dang gyI nang du /
(4) mchIs ste / rta lha 'I rta ste / gnyan te ma btub / / gdod de ma bcad / na' / phuM phuM tshungs gcIg / rnga ma nyag gcIg /
(5) mtsho mo nyag gcIg yungs mo / sgangs / gcIg skyem pa dngul gang / gyIs rta la 'o mnyen / rmang la sdIg btod / / spu gnag
(6) du byung na' na rta bdud gyI rta ste / gnyan de ma bthub gtod de ma bcad na / phuM phuM tshungs gcIg / rnga ma nyag cIg /
(7) mtshe mo nyag gcIg / yungs mo sgangs / gcIg skyems pa dngul gang gyIs rta la 'o mnyen rmang la sdIg btod do /
(8) shu bo zhur por byung na / rta dmu 'I rta ste / gnyan de ma bthub / gthod de ma bcad / gyIs rta la 'o mnyen / rmang la sdIg /
(9) bthod do / / sngon po la zhur por byung na / rta dmu' 'I rta ste / rta la 'o mnyen / rmang la sdIg btod do / / dkar po /
(10) la she'u rIgsurIgs su byung na / rta skar gyI gyi rta ste / gnyan te / ma btub gthod de ma / bcad na' / rta la 'o mnyen /
(11) rmang la sdIg btod do / / lu shu dmar du byung na / rta gzha' 'I rta ste gnyan te mthub gtod de ma bcad / na rta /
(12) la 'o mnyen rmang la sdIg bdod do / / / 'ol ba zhur por byung na / rta sprIn gyI rta ste rta la 'o mnyen /
(13) rmang la sdIg btod do / sngon po la rnga skyar byung na / rta gnyan gyI rta ste / rta la 'o mnyen / rmang la sdIg btod / do /
(14) mtshal bu zhur por byung na / rta klu 'I rta ste gnyan te ma btub / gdod de ma bcad na / rta la 'o mnyen /
(15) rmang la sdIg btod / do / / / shu mo la la gar du byung na / rta sman gyI rta ste / rta la 'o mnyen / rmang la sdIg btod /
(16) do / / / nag po la rngog bkra'r byung na / rta srIn gyI rta ste gnyan te ma bthub / gthod de ma bcad / na /
(17) rta sdIg bthod do / / rta la 'o mnyen nI gnam du mnyen no / / rmang la sdIg btod nI sa la btod /
(18) do / / $ /:/ rta la cho ma smos rmang 'brang ma blags na rje bden dang zhal myI mjal na' / / rta la /
(19) cho smos so rmang la 'brang blag / / na' / gnam la sprIn kha bo smra shes ste sprIn / ka' / dkar na / / sa la rta spu dkar / / gnam /
(20) la sprIn kha gnag na' / sa la rta spu gnag / / gnam la sprIn kha smug na / sa la rta spu smug / gnam la sprIn sngo na / sa /
(21) la rta spu sngo / / gnam la sprIn kha ser na' / sa la rta spu ser / / / kha bang gnyIs 'tshos gyI bu / spu dkar du byung na' / lha yul /
(22) gung dang gI nang du mchIs te rta lha 'I rta ste / cho yang lha rta 'I cho / 'brang yang lha rta 'I 'brang / do ma 'I myI rIgs snyIng dags gyI myI rIgs /
(23) spu gnag du byung na rta bdud gyI rta ste / cho yang bdud rta 'I cho 'brang yang / bdud rta 'I 'brang / / ste do ma 'I myI rIgs / snyIng dags / /
(24) gyI myI cho / / spu smug po la zhur por byung na / rta dmu 'I rta ste cho yang dmu rta 'I cho / 'brang yang dmu rta 'brang / do ma 'I myI /
(25) rIgs / snyI dags gyI myI cho / / skya bo la ['od?] por byung na' / rta cho yang sla rta'i 'brang ste / / do ma 'I myi rIgs / snying /
(26) dags gyI myI rigs / / sngon po la zhung por byung na' / / cho yang gnyi rta'I cho 'brang yang gnyi rta 'I 'brang / / te do ma'i
(27) myI cho snying dags dkar po shi'u rIs su byung na' cho yang skar rta'i cho 'brang yang skar rta'i 'brang / / te do ma'I /
(28) myI cho snyi / / dags gyI myi rIgs / / shu bo la' zhur por byung na' / cho yang gzha rta'I cho 'brang yang gzha rta'i /
(29) 'brang / / te do ma 'i myI cho 'brang yang gzha rta'I 'brang te snying dag gyI myi rIgs / / 'ol ba' la zhur por por /
(30) byung na' / / cho yang / / sprin rta 'I 'brang te do ma 'I myi cho snying dags gyI rIgs / / sngon po la rngaskyarrnga skyar /
(31) byung / na' / / cho yang gnyan rta'i cho rIgs kyang gnyan rta'i rIgs ste do ma'i myI cho snying dags gyi myI rIgs /
(32) mtshal bu la zhur por byung na' / / cho yang klu rta'I cho 'brang ya yang glu rta'i 'brang yang klu rta 'i 'brang ste /
(33) do ma 'i myI cho snyisnying dags gyi myI rIgs / / shu mo lag gar du byubyung na' cho yang sman rta'I cho 'brang yang sman /
(34) rta'I 'brang / / do ma'I myi cho snying dags gyi myi 'brang / / nag po la rngog bkra'r byung na' / / cho yang srin /
(35) rta'i 'brang do'ido ma'i myI cho snyangsnying dags gyi myI rIgs / / dbo yog sder du byung na' / / rta men sgyi ba [khob?] la la rta shI na' /
(36) bya rog grog byung te cho yang bya zan gyi 'brangste'brangs te / / do ma 'i myi cho snyIng dags gyi myI rigs / / spo ma cho /
(37) ched po nI gnam las glag 'brang ma po nI sa' las brtsI 'o / / rta la cho myed rmang la 'bra med snyam te yi ma
(38) [---] 'chad cIg / / khyod lta ma lags gyI / / dpo yog sder la yang cho dang 'brang yod de cho yang bya zan /
(39) 'drang yang bya zan gyi 'brang / / ngo / / do mod rta la cho smos so rmang la / / 'brang blag go / / dkar po brgya
(40) bsogs na' / dkar po spo gangs dang brgya stong re tham 'ba' / / do ma 'i de cho snyIng dags gyi de rIgs so /
(41) nag po brgya bsogs na' nag chung sran ma dmyI ga dang brgya te stong re tham 'ba' / / smug po brgya bsogs na' /
(42) smug po brgya bsogs na' chos gyi gtsos gong gong dang brgya stong re tham 'ba' / 'ol ba' brgya bsogs na' /
(43) thang brang 'ol ka' ['byo?] dang brgya stong re tham 'ba' / / ser po brgya bsogs na' gser bye'u nam ka' /
(44) ldIng dang brgya stong re tham 'ba' / / khra bo brgya bsogs na' khre'u lo rmun dang brgya ste stong re tham 'ba' /
(45) shu bo brgya bsogs na' / dang re dang brgya' stong re thaM ba'ba' / mog ro brgya bsogs na' / tIng phuM po dang brgya stong re thaM ba'ba' / / yang /
(46) cho yang do ma thugs dags / gyI cho 'brang / yang do ma thugs gyI 'brang / ngo / / cho yang phu dang mgyogs dang / nu yId mgyogs /
(47) gyi cho / 'brang yang phu dang mgyogs dang nu yId mgyogs gyI / 'brang / / khod de byang rtsong / dang nag po smra shes / las sogs /
(48) pa yang [nan?] [gong?] ma bzhIn skor cig / / $ /:/ lo ma nyid du / gral gang dngar pa khen rnams / / rje dang 'bangs /
(49) mjal / myI dang phyugs mjal / gser dang g.yu mjal / snyIng lo dga' myong / skra lo gsar bthags rje bden dang zhal mjal /
(50) du / [spo?] ma [khen (/khe na)] rnams gyI mtho rngog sgra phyur phyur man cad dang / dma' dmyIg bzhI lchags / ka' yan cad / du gnam /
(51) la g.yen dgu 'I g.yal chags / / g.yal nga ba slad du spyI na / lha 'I g.yal chags na lha rje khar mangs skyol gyI /
(52) g.yal chags / / tsham gyI g.yal chags / na cham rje thad kar gyI g.yal chags / / bdud gyI g.yal chaggchags na bdud /
(53) rje rmang khug gyi g.yal chags / / dmu 'I g.yal chags / na' / dmu rje btsan ba 'I g.yal chags / / sla 'I g.yal chags /
(54) na sla khrI bo gang rgyal gyI g.yal chags / / gnyI 'I / g.yal chags / na' / mang rgyal lho sa cung gyI g.yal chags / /
(55) skar gyI g.yal chags na skar spo de rgyal ba 'I g.yal chags / / gzha 'I g.yal chags / na / gzha' bzang khug mo
(56) 'o rgyad stong 'buM gyI g.yal chags / / sprIn gyi g.yal chags / na' / sprIn rje khe'u thung rmang g.yag skyes gyI g.yal chags /
(57) gnyan gyI g.yal chags na' / gnyan suM tho / de rgyal ba 'I g.yal chags / klu 'I g.yal chags na' / klu rdeng de bo 'I g.yal /
(58) chags / / sman gyI g.yal chags / sman tsun chung ma ron gyI g.yal chags / / gzed gyI g.yal chags na / gze rgyal thang po /
(59) 'I g.yal chags / / srIn gyi g.yal chags na srIn rje dgu lchogs gyI g.yang chags / pa / / phuM phuM tshungs gcIg / rnga ma nyag /
(60) gcIg / mtshe mo nyag gcig / yungs smo sgangs gcIg / skyems pa pa dngul gang gyIs g.yal nga ba yang / slad du spyI /
(61) 'o / rkyang rdIg pa yang slad du gcad do / / $ /:/ spo ma gral gang dngar pa khe na rnams / rje /
(62) bden dang zhal mjal du / sa la / rgyal po bcu gsuM gyI phung dang byIn chags ['a?] / g.yal nga rgyang rdIg / na g.yaly+l /
(63) nga ba slad du spyI rgyang sdIg pa sla du gcad na' / yul chab gyI ya bgo / mkhar khyung lung rngul mkhar /
(64) gyI nang na rgyal po lIg snya shur / blon po nI khyung po dang ra stsang rje / khol gu ge dang gug lchog gyI rta 'I cho dang 'brang du /
(65) 'a bthub ma bcad na chIbs na rod dang mang rog / nya mo dang sbal tsal yan cad / brgya sdong re tham ba 'I cho dang 'brang du /
(66) ma bthub na ma bcad na / rI gcIg gyI rtsI la mnyam du 'tshal 'tshal lung gcIg gyI chab la / mnyam du 'tshal /
(67) 'tshal / / spang snar gyI sgang 'grums 'grums / / lung phran gyI mul 'thub 'thub / / rtsva zogs pa spang dang /
(68) myIg gyI drIn / / chab 'tshal ba gong gyI gcags / rta pha la byIn nga / ma la rgyang sdIg / bu la g.yag chags pa /
(69) phuM phuM / tshungs gcIg rnga ma nyag gcIg / mtshe mo nyag gcIg / yungs mo gangs gcIg / skyems pa rngul gang gyIs /
(70) lha thugs cags gyI thugs lan na' / zhang zhung gyI lha mu rgyung dang stang rgyung thugs cags gyI thug lan /
(71) yang slan du glan no / / rgyal dang cags gyI dang lan yang / / slad du glan no / blon snying / / cags gyI snyIng lan /
(72) na' khyung po ra sang / / rje snyIng cags gyi snying lan yang / / slad du glan no / / lha slan yang sladuslad du glan no
(73) rgyal spro yang / / slad du dgar ro / / 'dI man cad rgyal po / / rIl yang nan 'dI bzhin bskorobskor ro /
(74) yul kha la rtsang stod rtsang gyi dngo mkhar gyI nang na' / lha rtsang la 'i bye'u / rje rtsang rje'i phyva' / / blon po sudusud du /
(75) dang gnang / khol rtsang kol re'u rdzI / / rta rtsang rta dgolg+l long leg pa' / / dang brgya stong re tham 'ba' 'I
(76) cho dang 'brang du ma btub / / yul skyi ro lngang sngon mkhar skyi mkhar zo yong sngon 'bu'i / / nang na' / lha skyibs la bya mang
(77) ngas / / rje skyi rje'i / / rmang po / / shu'u dang spug / rta skyi rta skya ma lan kar / dang brgya stong re tham 'ba'
(78) dbye mo yul dug na' rje dbye rje mkhar pa' / lha dbye bla spyi bgangs / / pho gum dang phog rol dbye rta thang
(79) mangs / dang brgya sto re tham 'ba' / / yul rngegs yul se mo gru bzhi / / lha rngegs lha 'I byar mangs rngegs
(80) rje'i lIn 'brang / / blon po sam pa dang sa pod / / rta rngegs rta sngo ma gzhung bkra' / / dang brgya stong re tham
(81) 'ba' / / yul mchIms yul dgu sul na' / lha mchims la 'i / / than 'tsho / / rje mchIms rje ne'u / blon po dang /
(82) dang ding / / gnyis mchIms rta se'u gad la bar / / dang brgya ste re tham 'ba' / / yul lho ga lang drug na' /
(83) lho bla 'i gang rgyal / / rje lho rje lang lIng blon lho blon lho blon thog snar / / lho rta ngang brang / / brgya stong re /
(84) tham 'ba' / / yul stod ro lung gsum / / stod lha 'i zezeze ze rje stod rje 'brong lom / /
(85) rta snar 'brang dang brgya stong re tham 'ba' / mkhar myang ro sham po dgu rtsigs lang lIng gi nang na' rgyal po
(86) long ngam rje dang ngam tsha pyi brom dkar po / blon po / / ngab myi dang 'bre gas / / rta ngas po rdzI tong / / dang brgya
(87) stong re tham 'ba' / / myang yul shing nag na' / / lha myang lha 'i bo mo / rje myang tsun gyi rgya po / / rta myang rta
(88) nag bra' / / dang brgya stong re tham 'ba' / / yul rkong yul bre snar na' / / lha rkong lha [tes (/des)] legs / rje rkong
(89) rje dkar po / mkhar pa dang 'phan gtug gnyis / / rta krong rta / / rngog bkra' / dang brgya ste stong re
(90) tham 'ba' / / yul byang ka' snam brgyad mkhar shu ba' ba leg gyi nang na' / / drugu'idrug gu'i lha yol dang
(91) re' / rgyal hir kin dang dar kan / blon po dun rgyus dang ^a ma ca' / khol nag drug dang dang ^a ma ca'
(92) rta hal tsun dang thog bya rmad / / dang brgya stong re tham / / yul chab gyi ma gzhug rgya mkhar stegs pa'i
(93) nang na' / / lha rgya bla'i 'brong nam rje rgya rje'i myi 'chan / / rgya blon gyi zing ba' / rgya rta 'cham 'gam dang brgya /
(94) stong re tham 'ba' / / 'i cho dang 'brang du ma btub ma {ma} bcad / / rgya po bcu gnyIs na se raser grI dang
(95) bcu gsum blon po nyi shu rtsa bzhi na' / / skyang re gnag dang nyishunyi shu rtsa lnga 'a yu bcu gnyis na'
(96) hod gyi [se?] mo gru dang bcu gsum / / mkhar bcu gnyis na' dbu ste ngam pa ra dang bcu gsum /
(97) gi rta 'i cho dang 'brang du ma btub ma bcad na' / / rta pha la byin nga ma la g.yal cags bu la rgyang stig /
(98) pum phum chungs cIg rnga ma 'phan cIg skyem pa dngul gang gyis lha thugs chags gyi thugs /
(99) lan yang slad du glan rgyal dang cags gyi dang lan yang slad du glan [rgya?] myi snyi chags gyi snyi lan /
(100) yang slad du glan no / /

Source Colophon

Source text: Pelliot tibétain 1060 (PT 1060), Bibliothèque nationale de France, Paris. Recovered from the Mogao Caves, Dunhuang, Gansu Province. Digital transcription accessed via Old Tibetan Documents Online (OTDO) at archives?p=Pt_1060, maintained by Tsuguhito Takeuchi (Kobe City University of Foreign Studies), Nathan W. Hill (SOAS University of London), and colleagues.

OTDO is a freely accessible academic resource. The transcription follows standard Old Tibetan Romanization conventions with bracket notation for uncertain readings.

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Source Text: rta'i cho 'brang

Old Tibetan source text from Pelliot tibetain 1060, Bibliotheque nationale de France. Digital transcription provided by Old Tibetan Documents Online (OTDO). Presented here for reference, study, and verification alongside the English translation above.

Source Colophon

Source text: Pelliot tibetain 1060 (PT 1060), Bibliotheque nationale de France, Paris. Recovered from the Mogao Caves, Dunhuang, Gansu Province. Digital transcription accessed via Old Tibetan Documents Online (OTDO) at archives?p=Pt_1060, maintained by Tsuguhito Takeuchi (Kobe City University of Foreign Studies), Nathan W. Hill (SOAS University of London), and colleagues.

OTDO is a freely accessible academic resource. The transcription follows standard Old Tibetan Romanization conventions with bracket notation for uncertain readings.

🌲