Appendix 1 - Synopsis of the Gosrnga Vyakarana Sutra

A Buddhist Guide/ 285 APPENDIX I SYNOPSIS OF THE GOSHRINGA (GOSRNGA) VYAKARANA SUTRA Arya Gosrnga Vyakarana Mahayana Sutra: 'Phags-pa glang-ru lung-bstan zhes-bya-ba theg-pa chen-po'i mdo. Homage to the Bhagavan Manjusri Kumarabhuta ! Then at that time, "Thus have I heard at one time: the god of gods, the Buddha Sakyamuni, after three innumerable kalpas, through the maturation of his accumulated merit, attained complete and perfect Buddha hood. After he had evolved the beings who assembled in other areas of the lands of Jambudvipa, in the palace of Muni Maharishi in the vicinity of Vaisali, (Bodhisattvas, Sravakas, Nagas, Raksasas, Gandharvas, Kinaras, Kings and their subjects) on one occasion gathered. the god of gods, Sakyamuni Buddha, visualised the land of Kusala (dGe-ba) in a future time and brought that vision into reality. Then he addressed the vast assembly, 'Noble Sons, in the north, on the banks of the River Goma, which is near the Ri glang-ru (The Ox-Horn Mountain) is what is known as Verily, the Muni Maharishi Palace, the Stupa Goma Salagandha. in that place there is essential work to be done, and the time is propitious to go there." Then, at that time, the god of gods the Buddha Sakyamuni and his vast retinue, arose into the sky.... and departed for the Ox-Horn Mountain." Arriving in Khotan on the Ox-Horn mountain, the Buddha looks north and sees a vast lake stretching into the distance. Then taking his throne on Ox-Horn Mountain he looks sees the Buddha's palace, the Goma Salagandha Stupa. Buddha, the Bodhisattvas and arhats then bless west and The the Land of

286 / Kailash Khotan and pray for the establishment of many monasteries, a rich land, a religious people etc., praying to be reborn there in the future to fulfil their own wishes. "Then in an instant, from within the great lake, 350 lotuses arose, and on top of each lotus was an effulgent image of a Buddha and Bodhisattva." The Buddha explains that in the future a vihara will be established wherever one of these lotuses bloomed. In answer to the question of who will establish this paradise, the Buddha predicts that a Chinese King will have 1001 sons, all of whom will leave home and establish kingdoms. The youngest son will be sent by his father to Khotan to establish a righteous government in that land. The country will be populated by Indians from the west. Most of the Sutra is concerned with the Buddha's predictions of the vicissitudes of the dharma in Khotan, its rise and fall, the importance of the Goma Salagandha Stupa and the Kasyapa Stupa and of the Goshringa (Gosrnga) Vyakarana Sutra as a panacea for all misfortune, war, poverty, famine, etc. And, also, a large portion is concerned with directions for the religious life, and how the country will be protected from outside threat, from the Chinese and Tibetan armies. Then at the end, "The Buddha spoke to Sariputra and Vaisravana, 'Noble sons, you both go and empty this great lake. Draining it into the River Gyi-sho in the north, do not harm any living creature existing in the water, and reveal the area of this land.' Then Mahasravaka Sariputra and Vaisravana, having asked permission to leave, through their magical power they set out in the sky for the Mountain Sha-ri (Flesh Mountain). Sariputra wielding a monk's staff and Vaisravana wielding a spear, half (phyed-stam?) of the mountain was moved and deposited in the east, so that a vast

A Buddhist Guide/287 dried up lake bed was created, the lake together with the living creatures existing in it draining into the Gyi-sho River. In this way Khotan was revealed together with the Goma Salagandha Stupa and the Ox-Horn Mountain." The Sutra ends with the divine hosts again blessing the land and its future inhabitants, and finally, praising the Buddha.