Chapter 2b - The Lineage of the mdo

The Lineage of the mdo: regarding it the Lord sgro sbug pa said: "The Lineage was transmitted through men and asuras.

On the summit of Mount Malaya, the Guhyapati (gsang bdag, Vajrapāṇi) taught (the system) to an assembly of vidyādharas, including the five holy rigs can.

Later (the mdo) was transmitted from ear to ear among men.

Blessed by the revolving of the Wheel of the Law by Vajrapāṇi, the fortunate king dza (Ja) saw seven dreams. The king was initiated by Vajrapāṇi and through his blessing was able to understand the meaning of sacred texts.

(He preached the Doctrine) to his son in+dra bo d+hi, nA ga bo d+hi and gu ya bo d+hi.

nA ga bo d+hi was not permitted to preach the Doctrine for nine years by the six clans of the ba su nāgas. In+dra taught it to ku ku rA dza (Kukkurarāja), the "King of Dogs" (khyi’i rgyal po).

The latter taught it to ro langs bde ba (Vetālakṣema).

The latter to Vajrahāsa (rdo rje bzhad pa).

The latter to pra ha s+ti (Prahasta), king of za hor.

The latter to Śākyasiṃha (shAkya seng ge), Śākyaprabha and Śākyamudra.

Śākyasiṃha taught it to Dhanarakṣita.

The latter to Sthiramati.

The latter to Sukhaprasanna (bde ba gsal mdzad).

The latter to Dharmabodhi and Vasudhara. (26b)

According to another tradition: "Dhanarakṣita was invited by ru che btsan skyes of bru zha, and he began its translation at khrom of the country of bru zha (Gilgit).

He was unable to complete it, as the people did not take interest in it. He then proceeded to Nepāl and taught it to Dharmabodhi and Vasudhara.

Later he translated it at khrom in the bru zha country.

Ru Dharmabodhi, Vasudhara and the upādhyāya of bru zha taught it to the Lord snubs sangs rgyas.

The latter to jo bo yon tan rgya mtsho.

The latter to his son ye shes rgya mtsho.

This one taught it to rgya blo gros byang chub and sna nam tshul khrims byang chub. Rgya taught it to tho gar (i.e. Tokharian) nam mkha’.

The latter in his early life taught it to four persons including sna nam zhal yon po of lho brag. In his middle life (he taught it) to zhub sod shAk. In his later life (he taught it) to lha rje ‘ug pa lung pa.

Again sna nam tshul khrims byang chub taught it to the kalyāṇa-mitra mar chung lho brag pa. Mar pa (mar chung) obtained it from lha rje bde gshegs.

He met lha rje shangs chung pa and dar ma bsod nams at the old college.

Lha rje shangs pa received mar pa with respect, and (mar pa) being a humble man, was pleased. Then, mar pa bestowed it on shangs pa.

I (sgro sbug pa) having invited lha rje shangs pa, requested him and he bestowed it on me.”

From that time on the Lineage of the mdo was handed down through the Lineage of the Māyā (sgyu 'phrul).

The Venerable sgrol ma pa gave me the permission (lung) to read the text of the mdo and its commentary composed by sangs rgyas ye shes, called mun pa’i go cha. The Chapter on the school of mdo.