The Buddhism of Tibet, or Lamaism, with mystic cults, symbolism and mythology, and its relation to Indian Buddhism / by L. Austine Waddell.

  • Laurence Waddell
Date:
[1934]
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: The Buddhism of Tibet, or Lamaism, with mystic cults, symbolism and mythology, and its relation to Indian Buddhism / by L. Austine Waddell. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    hearing the dead body speak, dared not approach. The more frightened amongst them tied, while the braver ones prepared to defend themselves by throwing stones, in the belief that the ghost of Nah-sa was agita¬ ting her dead body. Idien Nah-sa cried out, saying “ I am not a ghost, but a ‘ death-returned })erson ’ and the men being astonished, drew near and bowed down before her, and paid profound reverence to the resuscitated one. The good news of Nah-sa’s return from the dead soon reached the lord and the prince, who hurried to the spot, and throwing themselv’^es before her, implored her forgiveness, and conducted her back to their liome ; not, however, without protests from Nah-sa, who had decided to become a nun. She only consented to resume domestic life on the ardent entreaties of her son. But soon her excessive piety again subjected her to the ill-treatment of her husband as before, and forced her to flee to her parents’ home, where, however, she met with no better reception, but was beaten and expelled. And now driven forth from home, a wanderer for religion’s sake, she seeks admission into a convent, where, throwing herself at the Lama’s feet, she prays him, saying,— “ Om ! Salutation to our spiritual father, the Lauia, and the host of Fairy- mothers ! 1 have come in deep distress in order to devote'myself to religion ; and T appeal to you, good Luma, for help and permission to stay here (at//Ser-rag-gya- luh), O Lama ! I beg you to catch me, insignificant fish as I am, on your hook of mercy ; for otherwise the pious resolves of this poor girl will perisli, and the injury you thereby will inflict shall ])e my utter rum, and make me wretched like a jackal haunting a cave. O ! Lama of the red Lotus-cap, if you fail to help me now, then I am indeed undone ! I adore The Holy Religion with all my heart, and I crave your blessing ! ” and so saying she took off her rich robes and jewels, and offered them to him. And the Lama, pitying her, blessed her, and gave her the vow' of a novice. The new'S of Nah-sa’.s entry to the convent soon reached the ears of the lord of Rinang, who waxed wroth and went to w’ar against the monastery. Arriving there with his men he cried unto the Lama, saying : “ Lah-se ! You fellow, wky have you made a nun of Nah-sa? Unless you give full satisfaction, I wiW crush you and all your convent like butter ! ” And so saying he seized the Lama and pointed his sword to his heart. Now Nah-sa, driven to despair on seeing that the life of her Lama was thus threatened for her sake, she, in the dress of a novice, ascended the roof of the convent, and in the sight of all, sailed away, Buddha- like, through the sky, vanishing into space like the rainbow. Then the lord of Rinang with,all his retinue, dismayed at the sight of Nah-sa’s miraculous flight, fell to the ground. And stung by remorse at their sacrilege, they offered up all their arms and armour to the Lama ; and promising never again to molest him, they returned home gloomy and sad ; and Nah-sa was seen no more. May gloiy come ! Tashi-s'o ! May virtue increase ! Ge-leg-p^el!! And here all the people forming the audience joyfully shout : “ Mahgalmn ! ! ! All happiness ! !! ” And the play is over.