The Epic of Gesar of Ling

by Robin Kornman

  chieftain (Tib. dpon). Sometimes dpon is translated as “leader,” but when referring to the head of a tribal group, it is translated as “chieftain,” with the term “chief” reserved specifically for Chipön Rongtsha Tragen.

  Chiliarch [Leader of a Thousand] (Tib. stong dpon). A Tibetan military honorific.

  chuba (Tib.). A long, wrapped woolen or sheepskin garment; the traditional dress of Tibetan nomads.

  clairvoyance (Tib. mngon shes; Skt. abhijñā). Sometimes translated as “superior knowledge.” A collection of paranormal powers of insight gained through inner realization.

  clear light (Tib. ’od gsal). A code term for the special yogic accomplishment of seeing the clear-light nature of appearances.

  Cloud Valley of Wealth (Tib. sprin lung phyug mo). The name of a treasure chest of scarves (Tib. dar mdzod) in Chipön’s home.

  coemergent connate wisdom (Tib. lhan cig skyes pa’i ye shes; Skt. sahaja jñāna). From the point of view of the unsurpassed tantras, moments of ignorance do not arise totally divorced from wisdom. Even in a confused person’s stream of consciousness, wisdom and ignorance always arise simultaneously. Thus wisdom can be found even in moments of confusion. This is the wisdom that coemerges with ignorance.

  completion stage (Tib. rdzogs rim). See generation and completion stages.

  confidence (Tib. spobs pa or gdengs). See splendor.

  constellation (Tib. rgyu skar). Literally, the “moving stars.” Refers to classical Indian astrology’s list of “lunar mansions” (Skt. nakśatra), which are constellations of stars identified by the position of the moon in the sky. Altogether, there are twenty-eight of these constellations.

  Cosmic Turquoise Lake [Sidpa Yutso] (Tib. srid pa g.yu mtsho). The lake that is the domain of the nāgas.

  country god (Tib. yul lha). Literally, “god of the place.” A term for a native Tibetan deity, who is usually attached to a specific place. Sometimes this refers to a god of the hunt.

  Country of Demons (Tib. bdud yul). A country to the north of Ling that is ruled by a monster king named Lutsen. Gesar fights this country in the second-longest saga of the epic, the Düd Ling. See also demon.

  Crag Mountain Meteorite-Proof (Tib. khrab rdza ri thog thub). The name of the armor given by the Younger Lineage to Zhalkar on his birth celebration.

  crown chakra of great bliss (Tib. spyi gtsug bde chen khor lo). One of the chakras, usually having thirty-two channels, located in the crown. See also cakra.

  Crystal Light One Eye (Tib. shel ’od mig gcig). The name of a jewel originally owned by the dragons.

  ḍāka (Skt.; Tib. dpa’ bo). Literally means “warrior” or “hero,” but in this context it refers to the male equivalent of a ḍakiṇī, usually wrathful or semi-wrathful yidams of masculine gender.

  ḍakiṇī (Skt.; Tib. mkha’ ’gro ma) Literally, “sky-goer.” A female deity who signifies the absolute as a messenger principle. Ḍakiṇīs can be tricky, playful, seductive, motherly, or punishing as they serve the tantric practitioner and bring messages of enlightenment and guidance. They represent the basic space out of which they manifest in order to meet the needs of beings in the world. Lower goddesses who are essentially fairies or demonesses deputized by Buddhism are sometimes called ḍakiṇīs in Tibetan texts; however, they represent the worldy aspect of the term. The wisdom ḍakiṇīs manifest as female yidams in the context of the five families of Buddhas, and they are named according to those families, such as Buddhaḍakiṇī, Vajraḍakiṇī, and so forth.

  Dalung (Tib. zla lung). The lower plain of Ling’s Moon Valley, located in Kham, eastern Tibet, where the inhabitants would gather for communal events. Sometimes this is rendered brda lung, and hence it would be called Indication Valley.

  damsi [oath-breaking demons] (Tib. dam sri). These are terribly powerful demons who began as tantric practitioners and then turned against the dharma. As enemies of the dharma, they have some degree of power because of the virtue they accumulated through previous dharma practice when they were Buddhists. Now they use this power to literally serve the dark side (Tib. nag po’i ’phyogs).

  dark side (Tib. nag po’i phyogs). Literally, the “side or direction of the black or darkness.” The opposite of the “white side,” which is represented in expressions such as “White Ling.” These are gods and humans who are opposed to the buddhadharma, either by nature or because they have perverted the intention of their vows.

  Deep Blue Blazing Rays of Splendor Jewel (Tib. nor bu mthing ’od gzi ’bar). A magic jewel in the possession of the nāgas.

  demons (Tib. ’dre). Malevolent spirits who cause harm and are usually connected with specific kinds of disasters. In general, they are death spirits who bring disease and loss of wealth. For example, the Tibetologist Giuseppe Tucci, using a Bön source, names five classes of ’dre: food demons (Tib. za ’dre); demons causing loss (Tib. god ’dre); executioners (Tib. gsed ’dre); water sickness demons (Tib. chu ’dre); and material loss demons (Tib. gson ’dre). See also māra.

  Den (Tib. ’dan). A region in Kham (eastern Tibet) ruled by the Den family. On Chinese maps, this appears as Teng k’o (Tib. ’dan khog). The home of the famous minister Denma is located in this region, probably along the trade route from Tatsienlou to Jyekundo. It was also the family home of Trothung’s wife, and for this reason she became known as Denza (Tib. ’dan bza’), the lady from Den. Den was often allied with Dru (Tib. bru or ’dru) and Ga.

  Derge (Tib. sde dge). The largest city in eastern Tibet and the center of the ancient kingdom of the same name, ruled for 1,300 years by a lineage of kings. It is the home of the great publishing house that still exists to this day.

  dharma (Tib. chos). The term dharma can be understood in two ways: spiritually and worldly. Spiritually, the dharma refers to the teachings of the Buddha and his disciples which lead to enlightenment. Worldly dharma or phenomena refers to the way of life of sentient beings who are still in the realms of existence. Worldly dharma is in harmony with the goodness of the world and brings temporary well-being and happiness that will gradually lead beings to the path of liberation from saṃsāra. Another definition of dharma is “truth” or “law,” which refers both to natural laws as well as to the body of teachings on the nature of mind. Dharma also means “phenomena.” Buddhist dharma refers to the Buddha’s speech, which is thereby known as the law or order of truth.

  dharma robe (Tib. chos gos). The outer robe, patched and of certain specific dimensions, which a monk or nun receives upon ordination and wears as the principal mark of the monastic vow.

  dharmadhātu (Skt.; Tib. chos kyi dbying). This means the nature of phenomena, or the basic space of phenomena. Phenomena is chos in Tibetan, referring to all appearances, and dbying is space, referring to emptiness as the nature of phenomena.

  dharmakāya (Tib. chos sku). See bodies of the Buddha, three.

  dharmapāla (Skt.; Tib. chos skyong). Those who guard and protect the spiritual aspect of dharma, and also guard those who are practitioners. The dharmapālas were bound to oath by Padmasambhava to assist in ensuring the pure presence of the vajrayāna Buddhist doctrine in the world. Since this is dependent upon practitioners, the dharmapalas guard and protect the lineage holders and authentic practitioners from obstacles and conflicting circumstances.

  Dhātviśvarī. See Vajra Dhātviśvarī.

  dignity. See splendor.

  disaster (Tib. kha ’dre). Literally, “mouth demons,” which is a village expression for problems that coincidentally arise when a person is praised too much. For example, if a child’s qualities are overly praised or exaggerated, it might attract disaster, and the demons drawn to inflict the disaster are called mouth demons, because they are drawn by the words of praise.

  districts, six (Tib. sde or tsho). In the epic, this term refers to the six districts into which Middle Ling is divided, under the heading of the tribally based province of Ombu; these were probably originally tribal districts. For consistency, sde has been translated as “distri
ct,” and tsho as “province.”

  divination arrows (Tib. lha mda’). Often used by Gesar for divination. They are decorated with ribbons and used in formal settings to indicate an official message. The term also refers to the arrows used by Gesar’s warriors.

  divination stones (Tib. mo rdil). Pebbles that are used to make a divination.

  divination threads (Tib. ju zhags). Threads that are braided and used in divination; also called ju thig.

  Divine Heirs, Four (Tib. lha sras mched bzhi or lha sras spun bzhi). Four princely warriors from four tribes of Ling: Gyatsha Zhalkar of Bumpa, Nyibum Daryag of Serpa, Anu Paseng of Ombu, and Rinchen Darlu of Muchang. Nyibum is the divine heir (Tib. lha sras) for the Greater Lineage; Anu Paseng for the Middle Lineage; and Rinchen Darlu for the Lesser Lineage.

  Divisions of Muchang, Four (Tib. mu spyang sde bzhi). Four districts in Lower Ling (Tib. smad gling).

  dohā (Skt.; Tib. mgur). A spiritual hymn or yogic song of experience. A spontaneous song sung by a tantric practitioner to express his or her experience in meditation practice. The Bengali mahāsiddhas were famous for these songs, but the form saw its greatest development in the collected songs of the Tibetan yogi Milarepa and his successors.

  Dokham (Tib. mdo kham). Another name for Kham, or eastern Tibet.

  Dorje Luphen (Tib. rdo rje glu ’phen). A name for Vajrasadhu. Also known as the genyen Dorje Legpa.

  downs (Tib. dil). Colloquial term for a little hill or series of hills.

  drala (Tib. dgra lha). Deities that represent the strength and physical integrity of a warrior. Iconographically, they are usually shown as armed figures on horseback. Some, dralas are more like nature spirits, and these are represented as animals or as part animal and part human. These are also referred to as werma, and in fact the two terms are interchangeable. The term drala is so popular in Tibetan stories and native Tibetan religion that its reference has expanded beyond the range of its original definition as a defensive spirit of war, and is used instead to mean any sort of local deity.

  There are two spellings for this word with similar pronunciations but slightly different meanings: dgra lha and dgra bla. The first literally means, “enemy god,” the idea being that this deity protects warriors against enemies; lha is the Tibetan term for “deity” when it is translating the Indic word deva, which is the generic term for god. The second literally means “above the enemy” and implies a sort of life force that resides on the body of the warrior and protects him or her from psychic and physical attacks. For more on the notion of bla, see also life stone.

  drala castles (Tib. bse mkhar). Shrines to local spirits where juniper smoke offerings are performed. These shrines often appear in the form of piles of stone that look somewhat like castles and, along with prayer flags and other shrines that hold long arrows and flags, are considered to be the dwelling places of the dralas.

  Drala Ceremonial Spear (Tib. dgra lha rten mdung). One of the Sevenfold Treasures; the name of a banner. For the meaning of rten, see supports.

  dralas, praise of (Tib. dgra lha’i ngo so bstod). A ceremony usually performed after a lhasang (smoke offering) as a thanksgiving offering to the dralas. This will uplift, encourage, and invoke the dralas to action.

  Dri Valley (Tib. ’bri lung). A valley or region where the Dri Chu, also known as the Yangtze River, runs. The Yangtze River flows south into China and northwest of Jyekundo.

  Drigung (Tib. ’bri gung). Place name in middle Tibet.

  Dromug [Roan] (Tib. gro smug). Drugmo’s mare.

  Drong (Tib. ’brong). A wild yak that runs in herds on the high planes and is never domesticated.

  Dru (Tib. ’dru). One of the tribes of Ling living near the Ga, and therefore, like the Ga, it is labeled “rich.”

  Düd (Tib. bdud). Usually this refers to bdud yul, the country of māras or demons. Its king is the Demon of the North, and the greatest battle saga of the epic, the Düd Ling, is devoted to the bitter and violent war between this demon king and Gesar. See also māras and demons.

  dzo (Tib. mdzo). A male beast of burden, the result of crossing a yak bull with a cow. This is considered to be the hardiest beast for merchants’ travel and for caravans.

  dzomo (Tib. mdzo mo). A female dairy beast; a hybrid of a yak and a cow. This animal is prized for the richness of its milk and butter.

  E ma ho. A Tibetan expression of wonder and jubilation.

  Earth Mare [Sata Dromo] (Tib. sa rta gro mo). The mother of Gesar’s horse.

  earth lord (Tib. sa bdag). A spirit who is the proprietor of a certain region, usually an impressive local deity complete with a palace, personal army of spirits, consort, and retinue.

  East Mountain Dragon Fortress [Shar-ri Drugdzong] (Tib. shar ri’i ’brug rdzong). The palace of Chief Rongtsha Tragen.

  eight classes of gods (Tib. lha sde brgyad). A classical list of eight kinds or races of local, non-Buddhist deities who inhabit Tibet. In the Yamantaka tantra, they are listed as follows: gshin rje (lords of death); ma mo (wrathful ḍākinīs); srin po (cannibals); gnod sbyin (wealth deities); mi’am ci (nonhuman entities); sa bdag (earth lords); btsan (local haughty spirits of the land); and bdud (demons). In other texts, they are listed as lha (gods); klu (nāgas); gnod sbyin (wealth deities); dri za (gandharvas); lha ma yin (demigods); nam lding (space dwellers); mi’am ci (nonhumans); and lto ’phye chen po (big-bellied spirits of the earth).

  ego-clinging (Tib. bdag tu ’dzin pa or bdag ’dzin). Literally, “grasping to a self.” The mental condition produced by ignorance that prevents enlightenment.

  empowerment (Tib. dbang; Skt. abhiṣeka). A tantric ceremony of initiation that confers the power and authorization to begin vajrayāna practices.

  enemies in the four directions (Tib. phyogs bzhi’i dgra bzhi) Also known as the demons of the four directions (Tib. phyogs bzhi’ bdud bzhi). The four principal kingdoms that are opposed to the direction of virtue; Gesar must oppose and tame their rulers. The four kingdoms are the Düd, Hor, Mön, and Jang.

  evil deeds (Tib. sdig pa). The Tibetan word is sometimes translated as “negativity,” and sometimes as “sin”; this translation generally uses “evil deeds” in order to avoid Judeo-Christian terminology.

  Fair Maiden (Tib. dwangs sman). Literally, “stainless maiden.” An expression in the epic indicating a respected female.

  Falcon Castle Sky Fortress [Trakhar Namdzong] (Tib. khra mkhar gnam rdzong). Rongtsha’s palace. Also called Wealthy Sky Fortress [Namdzong Chugmo] (Tib. gnam rdzong phyug mo), and Upper Falcon Sky Fortress [Tratöd Namdzong] (Tib. khra stod gnam rdzong).

  Falcon Cave [Traphug] (Tib. khra phug). The seat of Chipön Rongtsha Tragen, the chief of Ling. Also called Upper Falcon, or Tratöd (Tib. khra stod).

  Ferocious Roaring Dragon (Tib. rngam pa ’brug grag). Kyalo Tönpa’s guard dog.

  field (Tib. zhing; Skt. kśetra). A term from Buddhist cosmology that refers roughly to what Westerners would call a “world” or a “domain.” Sometimes these are called “lands,” as in dag pa’i zhing, which means “pure land.” A pure land is the manifestation of pure appearances, which is the experience of those who are able to see the true nature of reality. On the other hand, if appearances are misinterpreted and based upon ignorance, then the ordinary realms of the world come into play.

  Field of Lotus Power (Tib. pad ma dbang gi zhing). The assembly hall located to the west in Padmasambhava’s Palace of Lotus Light on the continent of Cāmara; this is the room where the most secret tantras of Hayagrīva were taught. “Lotus Power” is a synonym for the yidam Hayagrīva.

  Fills with Admiration (Tib. mthong ba kun smon). Literally, “inspired by seeing.” Refers to the sight of the Ma Valley, or the land of Ling.

  Five-Peaked Mountain. See Wu-t’ai Shan.

  Five Topknots (Tib. zur phud lnga pa; Skt. Pañcaśika). This name refers to a way of tying up hair in a topknot, and may imply Mañjuśrī. In the Gesar epic, this refers to the king of the nyen gods or mountain gods, a figure associated w
ith the great nyen Nyenchen Thanglha.

  foreign kingdoms, eighteen (Tib. rgyal khag bco brgyad). Eighteen provinces or kingdoms surrounding Ling.

  Form body of the Buddha (Tib. gzugs kyi sku; Skt. rūpakāya). The form body is the nirmāṇakāya, or transformation body—the visible, physical form of the Buddha. For example, Gautama Śākyamuni was a supreme nirmāṇakāya buddha who manifested in human form. The rūpakāya also includes the sambhogakāya; this is a wisdom form, which means it can be known by bodhisattvas who have true seeing. See also bodies of the Buddha, three.

  Fortresses, Eight Minor (Tib. rdzong phran brgyad). The eight minor kingdoms.

  fortunate connection (Tib. rten ’brel). An auspicious coincidence, good fortune.

  Four-Gated Prosperity Corral (Tib. g.yang ra ba sgo bzhi). The area where Senglön first established the tent of Gogmo, Gesar’s mother; so named because Gyaza, Senglön’s primary wife, had given Gogmo four different animals as an auspicious connection in order to magnetize wealth for her. The animals were a yak, a horse, a goat, and a sheep.

  Four Rivers of Dokham. Four rivers in the province of Kham, or eastern Tibet: the Dri Chu (Tib. ’bri chu, the Yangtze River); the Ma Chu (Tib. rma chu, the Yellow River); the Gyalmo Ngül Chu (Tib. rgyal mo rngul chu, the Salween River); and the Dza Chu (Tib. rdza chu, the Mekong River).

  free and well-favored (Tib. dal ’byor). Two conditions necessary to entering the Path. There are eight freedoms and ten conditions of being well-favored or endowed. For example, not being born in hell is one of the freedoms, because hell beings cannot practice meditation. An example of an endowment is being born in a country where the doctrine of the Buddha is taught.

  Gadei (Tib. dga’ bde). A place in Ling associated with the tribe Ga. The Tibetologist Rolf Alfred Stein identifies the locality with Jyekundo, which is around the first bend of the Yangtze River. The Ga tribe is associated with Tönpa Gyaltsen.

  gaṇacakra (Skt.; Tib. tshogs kyi ’khor lo). A tantric or religious feast ceremony. In these practices, a group of vajrayāna practitioners who share a certain mandala or secret teaching will assemble and make offerings to the wisdom deities, according to the particular liturgy they are practicing. They share in the feast with the devas, sing songs expressing meditational experiences, and enjoy sensual pleasures that are transformed through ritual into dharma practice. Feasts are often given in order to purify a tāntrika’s shortcomings or damaged commitments.