Difference between revisions of "How King Yeshe-O gave up his life to invite Atisha to Tibet"
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| − | After the [[Tibetan King]] Langarma ascended to the [[throne]], he repressed [[Buddhism]] and [[caused]] a {{Wiki|decline}} in the teachings. His reign dealt a heavy blow to [[Buddhism]] and [[dharma]] teachings in [[Tibet]] for many years to come, even after his [[death]]. [[People]] were confused about [[dharma]]. [[Sutra]] and [[Tantra]] teachings were as seen as mutually exclusive. Many fake [[teachers]] from [[India]] moved to [[Tibet]], lured by the prospect of {{Wiki|gold}}. They deceived their students with many [[evil]] [[mantras]] and other [[evil]] acts. It was an {{Wiki|era}} of great [[confusion]]. | + | After the [[Tibetan King]] [[Langarma]] ascended to the [[throne]], he repressed [[Buddhism]] and [[caused]] a {{Wiki|decline}} in the teachings. His reign dealt a heavy blow to [[Buddhism]] and [[dharma]] teachings in [[Tibet]] for many years to come, even after his [[death]]. [[People]] were confused about [[dharma]]. [[Sutra]] and [[Tantra]] teachings were as seen as mutually exclusive. Many fake [[teachers]] from [[India]] moved to [[Tibet]], lured by the prospect of {{Wiki|gold}}. They deceived their students with many [[evil]] [[mantras]] and other [[evil]] acts. It was an {{Wiki|era}} of great [[confusion]]. |
| − | The [[Tibetan king]] [[Yeshe-O]] was sadden very much by this degenerate [[state]] of | + | The [[Tibetan king]] [[Yeshe-O]] was sadden very much by this degenerate [[state]] of affairs and wished very strongly to restore the [[pure]] [[dharma]] teachings to his [[people]]. He sent 21 young men to [[India]] to study [[Sanskrit]] and to invite a [[pandit]] back to [[Tibet]] to clarify the [[confusion]]. Only 2 of the young men survived the journey and when they returned, they told [[King]] [[Yeshe-O]] that only the great [[scholar]] [[Atisha]] will be able to restore the [[pure]] teachings to [[Tibet]]. |
Upon hearing [[Atisha’s]] [[name]], [[King]] [[Yeshe-O]] generated great [[faith]] in his [[mind]] and determined that he would invite [[Atisha]] back to [[Tibet]]. Immediately he dispatched a 2nd party to [[India]] to invite [[Atisha]] back but the [[mission]] was unsuccessful. | Upon hearing [[Atisha’s]] [[name]], [[King]] [[Yeshe-O]] generated great [[faith]] in his [[mind]] and determined that he would invite [[Atisha]] back to [[Tibet]]. Immediately he dispatched a 2nd party to [[India]] to invite [[Atisha]] back but the [[mission]] was unsuccessful. | ||
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[[King]] [[Yeshe-O]] was not disheartened and decided to lead an expedition himself to collect more {{Wiki|gold}} in order to sent a 3rd party to [[India]]. Unfortunately he was captured near the Nepaleses border by a rival [[King]] who was against the spread of [[Buddhism in Tibet]]. | [[King]] [[Yeshe-O]] was not disheartened and decided to lead an expedition himself to collect more {{Wiki|gold}} in order to sent a 3rd party to [[India]]. Unfortunately he was captured near the Nepaleses border by a rival [[King]] who was against the spread of [[Buddhism in Tibet]]. | ||
| − | [[King]] Yeshe-O’s newphew, Jangchub-Oe, was informed to either abandon the [[mission]] to invite [[Atisha]] or raise an amount of {{Wiki|gold}}, {{Wiki|equal}} to the {{Wiki|weight}} of his uncle, in order for [[King]] [[Yeshe-O]] to be released. | + | [[King]] [[Yeshe-O’s]] newphew, [[Jangchub-Oe]], was informed to either abandon the [[mission]] to invite [[Atisha]] or raise an amount of {{Wiki|gold}}, {{Wiki|equal}} to the {{Wiki|weight}} of his uncle, in order for [[King]] [[Yeshe-O]] to be released. |
| − | Jangchub-Oe travelled far and wide in [[Tibet]] in order to collect {{Wiki|gold}} to pay the ransom. Eventually he took with him much {{Wiki|gold}} to the rival [[King]]. However the {{Wiki|weight}} of the {{Wiki|gold}} he brought was only {{Wiki|equal}} to the {{Wiki|weight}} of [[King]] Yeshe-O’s [[body]]. The amount of {{Wiki|gold}} {{Wiki|equal}} to the {{Wiki|weight}} of his head was still missing. The rival [[King]] refused to budge and insisted that Jangchub-Oe had to raise the remaining {{Wiki|gold}} before he would [[release]] [[King]] [[Yeshe-O]]. | + | [[Jangchub-Oe]] travelled far and wide in [[Tibet]] in order to collect {{Wiki|gold}} to pay the ransom. Eventually he took with him much {{Wiki|gold}} to the rival [[King]]. However the {{Wiki|weight}} of the {{Wiki|gold}} he brought was only {{Wiki|equal}} to the {{Wiki|weight}} of [[King]] [[Yeshe-O’s]] [[body]]. The amount of {{Wiki|gold}} {{Wiki|equal}} to the {{Wiki|weight}} of his head was still missing. The rival [[King]] refused to budge and insisted that [[Jangchub-Oe]] had to raise the remaining {{Wiki|gold}} before he would [[release]] [[King]] [[Yeshe-O]]. |
| − | With a heavy [[heart]], Jangchub-Ow went to visit [[King]] [[Yeshe-O]] in a dark {{Wiki|prison}} cell enclosed by {{Wiki|iron}} bars. He explained the situation to his uncle, who was in chains and very frail, and said he would continue to search for the remaining {{Wiki|gold}}. | + | With a heavy [[heart]], [[Jangchub-Ow]] went to visit [[King]] [[Yeshe-O]] in a dark {{Wiki|prison}} cell enclosed by {{Wiki|iron}} bars. He explained the situation to his uncle, who was in chains and very frail, and said he would continue to search for the remaining {{Wiki|gold}}. |
“Uncle, do not {{Wiki|despair}}. Your current circumstances is due to the ripening of your {{Wiki|past}} [[actions]]. I can wage [[war]] against this [[evil]] [[king]] who does not want to see the spread of [[Buddhism in Tibet]]. However many [[people]] will be killed and I {{Wiki|fear}} they will be [[reborn]] in the [[lower realms]]. This [[evil]] [[king]] wants us to give up the [[mission]] to invite [[Atisha]] but if we do so, we would have abandon the [[dharma]]. | “Uncle, do not {{Wiki|despair}}. Your current circumstances is due to the ripening of your {{Wiki|past}} [[actions]]. I can wage [[war]] against this [[evil]] [[king]] who does not want to see the spread of [[Buddhism in Tibet]]. However many [[people]] will be killed and I {{Wiki|fear}} they will be [[reborn]] in the [[lower realms]]. This [[evil]] [[king]] wants us to give up the [[mission]] to invite [[Atisha]] but if we do so, we would have abandon the [[dharma]]. | ||
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He wants your {{Wiki|weight}} in {{Wiki|gold}} but I have only been able to find enough {{Wiki|gold}} {{Wiki|equal}} to your {{Wiki|weight}} less your head. The [[evil]] [[king]] will not budge. Now I will go to find more {{Wiki|gold}}. Until I return, please reflect on [[karma]] and pray to the [[Triple Gems]]. Have [[courage]] and create [[merit]]!” | He wants your {{Wiki|weight}} in {{Wiki|gold}} but I have only been able to find enough {{Wiki|gold}} {{Wiki|equal}} to your {{Wiki|weight}} less your head. The [[evil]] [[king]] will not budge. Now I will go to find more {{Wiki|gold}}. Until I return, please reflect on [[karma]] and pray to the [[Triple Gems]]. Have [[courage]] and create [[merit]]!” | ||
| − | [[King]] [[Yeshe-O]] was very moved by Jangchub-Ow’s words and replied | + | [[King]] [[Yeshe-O]] was very moved by [[Jangchub-Ow’s]] words and replied |
“My dear nephew, I am [[pleased]] that you understand the [[evils]] of [[violence]], but now you must forget about me. Instead, use all the {{Wiki|gold}} you have collected to invite to [[Tibet]] the [[great master]] [[Atisha]]. I am now old and even if I am not killed by this [[evil]] [[king]], I would only live for another 10 years. It will [[shame]] me if so much {{Wiki|gold}} was given to this [[evil]] [[king]] just for this! | “My dear nephew, I am [[pleased]] that you understand the [[evils]] of [[violence]], but now you must forget about me. Instead, use all the {{Wiki|gold}} you have collected to invite to [[Tibet]] the [[great master]] [[Atisha]]. I am now old and even if I am not killed by this [[evil]] [[king]], I would only live for another 10 years. It will [[shame]] me if so much {{Wiki|gold}} was given to this [[evil]] [[king]] just for this! | ||
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Please tell [[Atisha]] that I have given my [[life]] for the {{Wiki|welfare}} of my [[subjects]] and the [[Dharma]] so that he could be brought to [[Tibet]]. Although I have not had the [[fortune]] to meet him this [[lifetime]], I pray that I will meet him in {{Wiki|future}} [[lives]].” | Please tell [[Atisha]] that I have given my [[life]] for the {{Wiki|welfare}} of my [[subjects]] and the [[Dharma]] so that he could be brought to [[Tibet]]. Although I have not had the [[fortune]] to meet him this [[lifetime]], I pray that I will meet him in {{Wiki|future}} [[lives]].” | ||
| − | Jangchub-Oe submitted to his uncle’s command and departed. [[Atisha]] was eventually invited to [[Tibet]] and managed to clarify the [[confusion]] and [[caused]] [[Buddhism]] to flourish in [[Tibet]] once again. | + | [[Jangchub-Oe]] submitted to his uncle’s command and departed. [[Atisha]] was eventually invited to [[Tibet]] and managed to clarify the [[confusion]] and [[caused]] [[Buddhism]] to flourish in [[Tibet]] once again. |
| + | {{R}} | ||
| + | [https://buddhiststories.wordpress.com/2012/11/02/how-king-yeshe-o-gave-up-his-life-to-invite-atisha-to-tibet/] | ||
| + | [[Category:Yeshe-Ö]] | ||
Latest revision as of 16:20, 11 October 2015
After the Tibetan King Langarma ascended to the throne, he repressed Buddhism and caused a decline in the teachings. His reign dealt a heavy blow to Buddhism and dharma teachings in Tibet for many years to come, even after his death. People were confused about dharma. Sutra and Tantra teachings were as seen as mutually exclusive. Many fake teachers from India moved to Tibet, lured by the prospect of gold. They deceived their students with many evil mantras and other evil acts. It was an era of great confusion.
The Tibetan king Yeshe-O was sadden very much by this degenerate state of affairs and wished very strongly to restore the pure dharma teachings to his people. He sent 21 young men to India to study Sanskrit and to invite a pandit back to Tibet to clarify the confusion. Only 2 of the young men survived the journey and when they returned, they told King Yeshe-O that only the great scholar Atisha will be able to restore the pure teachings to Tibet.
Upon hearing Atisha’s name, King Yeshe-O generated great faith in his mind and determined that he would invite Atisha back to Tibet. Immediately he dispatched a 2nd party to India to invite Atisha back but the mission was unsuccessful.
King Yeshe-O was not disheartened and decided to lead an expedition himself to collect more gold in order to sent a 3rd party to India. Unfortunately he was captured near the Nepaleses border by a rival King who was against the spread of Buddhism in Tibet.
King Yeshe-O’s newphew, Jangchub-Oe, was informed to either abandon the mission to invite Atisha or raise an amount of gold, equal to the weight of his uncle, in order for King Yeshe-O to be released.
Jangchub-Oe travelled far and wide in Tibet in order to collect gold to pay the ransom. Eventually he took with him much gold to the rival King. However the weight of the gold he brought was only equal to the weight of King Yeshe-O’s body. The amount of gold equal to the weight of his head was still missing. The rival King refused to budge and insisted that Jangchub-Oe had to raise the remaining gold before he would release King Yeshe-O.
With a heavy heart, Jangchub-Ow went to visit King Yeshe-O in a dark prison cell enclosed by iron bars. He explained the situation to his uncle, who was in chains and very frail, and said he would continue to search for the remaining gold.
“Uncle, do not despair. Your current circumstances is due to the ripening of your past actions. I can wage war against this evil king who does not want to see the spread of Buddhism in Tibet. However many people will be killed and I fear they will be reborn in the lower realms. This evil king wants us to give up the mission to invite Atisha but if we do so, we would have abandon the dharma.
He wants your weight in gold but I have only been able to find enough gold equal to your weight less your head. The evil king will not budge. Now I will go to find more gold. Until I return, please reflect on karma and pray to the Triple Gems. Have courage and create merit!”
King Yeshe-O was very moved by Jangchub-Ow’s words and replied
“My dear nephew, I am pleased that you understand the evils of violence, but now you must forget about me. Instead, use all the gold you have collected to invite to Tibet the great master Atisha. I am now old and even if I am not killed by this evil king, I would only live for another 10 years. It will shame me if so much gold was given to this evil king just for this!
I have died countless times in previous lives, but not once have I died for the Dharma. Now I am very happy to do so. Take all the gold to Atisha in India and do all you can to invite back to Tibet.
Please tell Atisha that I have given my life for the welfare of my subjects and the Dharma so that he could be brought to Tibet. Although I have not had the fortune to meet him this lifetime, I pray that I will meet him in future lives.”
Jangchub-Oe submitted to his uncle’s command and departed. Atisha was eventually invited to Tibet and managed to clarify the confusion and caused Buddhism to flourish in Tibet once again.
