The Life of the Last Rin Spungs pa Ruler and his Guide to Śambhala.A study based on the 16th century manuscript,Vidyadhara –The Messenger (Rig pa’dzin pa’i pho nya) by Ngag dbang ’jig grags of Rin spungs (translation and comparative text analysis)

Abstract

The presented work is based on the manuscript Rig pa ’dzin pa’i pho nya by Ngag dbang ’jig grags, the 16th century last ruler of Rin spungs in Central Tibet. The manuscript is very rare and interesting for Tibetan literature, not broadly known and studied by Tibetologists both outside and inside Tibet. Two main themes of the manuscript are discussed in detail in the book: the itinerary of Śambhala and the life of the author, Ngag dbang ’jig grags. The volume includes chronological presentation of the manuscript with a commentary: the life of the author, Ngag dbang ’jig grags (second part of the text) and the guide to Śambhala (first part of the text), as well as its complete English translation. In the appendices discussion on the literary aspects of the manuscript is presented, accompanied by different glossaries and the index.