DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.36958#0165
pathy of the population of Khotan and the hopes for a brighter
future were directed towards China. This is reflected in a Buddhist
text preserved in a Tibetan translation, in fact a sort of mtra
including several the so-called "Inquiry of Hma/apra-
6/m", published and commented by THOMAS (1935: 258). What is
presented as a prediction is in fact a historical report. It is the
history of the "Kings of Skar-rdo", their relations with the dynasty
of Khotan and the fateful events caused by the Tibetans and their
barbarian allies. Salvation is expected by the interference of China.
THOMAS was convinced that the adventurous story - told as ex
evcMlM prophecy - had a concrete background, namely the integra-
tion of Baltistan into the Tibetan empire between 722 AD and 756
AD. In case that THOMAS offers a realistic explanation, it would
be a grave neglect not to include this material in my report on
Great Palür, because the capital of Great Palm was certainly in
the basin of Skardu and we may assume that Khotan, which
remained a dependency of China during the same period, was in-
volved in the diplomatic and martial activities forcing the ruler of
a border state to take refuge in the areas further to the east.
Writing about the religions of the Hindukush I referred to the
material discussed by THOMAS in several respects (JETTMAR 1975:
299-312). Apparently there are allusions to spiritual concepts
which are preserved until the present day, integrated into the
mythical lore of the dynasty.
In the meantime I know that the historical background of the ax
eve/rm prophecy was not the initial conquest of Great Palm = Balti-
stan by the Tibetan empire. I already submitted my arguments
(JETTMAR 1990), but since they also shed light on the events in
Bolorian Tibet, they must be discussed here.
No Patola is mentioned in the text of the "Inquiry", the names
rather fit into the tradition typical for the dynasty of Khotan.
Besides, apart from the states and their rulers, dangerous tribes-
men, the "Wild Men", the Sum-pas and the "Gold Race" are
mentioned. Since the Patolas ruled their territories through cen-
turies, it is doubtful whether such independent forces existed in
the 8^ century. And it is questionable whether somebody could
hope - in the time of the Great Kings of Tibet - to influence
political decisions by rich gifts (THOMAS 1935: 161) including the
attempt to buy out the Tibetans from Khotan.
The story told here would appear much more realistic if we ad-
107
future were directed towards China. This is reflected in a Buddhist
text preserved in a Tibetan translation, in fact a sort of mtra
including several the so-called "Inquiry of Hma/apra-
6/m", published and commented by THOMAS (1935: 258). What is
presented as a prediction is in fact a historical report. It is the
history of the "Kings of Skar-rdo", their relations with the dynasty
of Khotan and the fateful events caused by the Tibetans and their
barbarian allies. Salvation is expected by the interference of China.
THOMAS was convinced that the adventurous story - told as ex
evcMlM prophecy - had a concrete background, namely the integra-
tion of Baltistan into the Tibetan empire between 722 AD and 756
AD. In case that THOMAS offers a realistic explanation, it would
be a grave neglect not to include this material in my report on
Great Palür, because the capital of Great Palm was certainly in
the basin of Skardu and we may assume that Khotan, which
remained a dependency of China during the same period, was in-
volved in the diplomatic and martial activities forcing the ruler of
a border state to take refuge in the areas further to the east.
Writing about the religions of the Hindukush I referred to the
material discussed by THOMAS in several respects (JETTMAR 1975:
299-312). Apparently there are allusions to spiritual concepts
which are preserved until the present day, integrated into the
mythical lore of the dynasty.
In the meantime I know that the historical background of the ax
eve/rm prophecy was not the initial conquest of Great Palm = Balti-
stan by the Tibetan empire. I already submitted my arguments
(JETTMAR 1990), but since they also shed light on the events in
Bolorian Tibet, they must be discussed here.
No Patola is mentioned in the text of the "Inquiry", the names
rather fit into the tradition typical for the dynasty of Khotan.
Besides, apart from the states and their rulers, dangerous tribes-
men, the "Wild Men", the Sum-pas and the "Gold Race" are
mentioned. Since the Patolas ruled their territories through cen-
turies, it is doubtful whether such independent forces existed in
the 8^ century. And it is questionable whether somebody could
hope - in the time of the Great Kings of Tibet - to influence
political decisions by rich gifts (THOMAS 1935: 161) including the
attempt to buy out the Tibetans from Khotan.
The story told here would appear much more realistic if we ad-
107