________________
-
Translator's Introduction
-
The remainder of the first paragraph relates the faithful adherence to Buddhism, of the founder of this monastery. Dharmaraja Senge Nampar Gyalva, and his father, and the universal reverence paid by the Ladakhions to the holy triad. It is stated that Senge Nampar ordered to be built in his territory the "Vihara (monastery) of the three gems," on a magnificent style, and named it "the Sangye chi ku sung thug chi ten," i. e. the support of the meaning of Buddha's precepts, "whence the sun of the doctrine arose in this country brilliant as the dawn of the day.” It is further reported that in the reign of this monarch many most learned and powerful Lamas had come to Ladak and taught the doctrine. The names of some of them are mentioned.
The second paragraph mentions that the erection of the convent was entrusted to Pal-dan-tsa-vai Lama, who had dwelt in numerous monasteries, and had become firm and strong in the Ten Commandments.
The edifice was commenced in the month Voda, in a certain year which in the Thibetan astronomy is named "the male waterhorse year." and was finished in the "male water-tiger year," when the Lama performed the ceremony of consecration, which is a sign of completion." In the male iron-dog year” were placed, outside the enclosure, 300,000 prayer-cylinders. The document concludes by alluding to the merits which the king, the workmen (the masons, carpenters, porters) and, in fact, all engaged in the construction of this monastery, had derived from their assistance, and mentions in particular the salutary influence which the monastery will exercise in future upon the welfare and salvation of the inhabitants of Ladak.. The monastery was commenced in 1644 A. C. and finished in 1664.
If, notwithstanding these facts, the Himis monastery is "a mythical convent" or that we do not find [it] on our own calendar of Buddhist ecclesiastical institutions," the native of Central Africa
