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᭿ First published in Elverskog, Johan, The Jewel Translucent : Altan and the in the Sixteenth Century. Leiden, Boston: Brill Publishers, 2003 22

THE JEWEL TRANSLUCENT SU¯ TRA

Altan Khan and the Mongols in the Sixteenth Century

Johan Elverskog

[794] When the Son of Heaven, majestic, great, brilliant Altan Khan, [795] Heard that the unparalleled, meritorious Dalai was coming, [796] He rejoiced with supreme reverent faith. [797] Immediately he sent his welcoming party of lords and officials.

[798] From the Ordos Tümen Sechen Khung Taiji,1 Sechen Daiching,2 and Üijeng Jongtulai;3 [799] From the Supreme Tümen, Namudai Sechen Khung Taiji, Lord Dayan,4 Lord Bayuud5 and Daiching Ejei; [800] And especially from the Yüngsiyebü’s Kharchin, Bargu6 Sechen Daiching Taiji,7 [801] Were sent, and the welcoming parties proceeded in succession.8

[802] [Altan Khan sent] all those lords, worthies and officials to meet [the ], [803] And gave them jewels, gold and a silver ,9 with [804] A perfection of gifts of many goods and chattels, [805] Which were placed on horses with golden saddles and bridles.

[806] Immediately the vanguard welcoming party arrived at Khaluun Usun. [807] Then the middle welcoming party arrived at Gün Ergi. [808] Then the last welcoming party arrived at Khaluun Usun.10 [809] [They] offered their gifts to the majesty of the evenly All-knowing Dalai Lama, and prostrating themselves they said,

[810] “To all the samgha and especially the famous, protector, meritorious Dalai Lama, [811] The satisfier of sentient beings’ desires,11 the glorious [812] True essence of all supreme knowledge respected by all two-legged beings,12 [813] An emanation by which you help everyone with everything.

[814] The monks and samgha in all its divisions, 528 THE HISTORY OF

[815] Thinking benevolently to help beings, and being compassionate in this direction, [816] Oh, indeed, have you come in this direction without delay, [817] Without suffering, indeed peacefully, stable and properly?”

[818] The All-knowing Dalai Lama spoke thus, [819] “With the protection of the wonderful Three Jewels we came peacefully. [820] Are the Khan, Queen and greater and lesser lords well?” [821] After having met one another and inquired about their health,

[822] The Dalai Lama said to Dayan Kiya and the translator Bombu Sanding, [823] “When you arrive at the Supreme Great Khan speak my words thus: [824] ‘My sign of us two meeting one another with pleasure, [825] Is that we meet together on a good day, the fifteenth day of the fifth month,’” then sent them off.

[826] When the dispatched envoys came they explained fully to the majesty of the Khan, [827] The words of the Clear Holy Dalai Lama. [828] The Perpetual Khan and Queen leading the Great Nation approved [to meet] [829] On a good day, in particular, the fifteenth day of the fifth month of the Wu Tiger Year.13

[830] To the east of Kökenuur and west of Chabchiyal Monastery, [831] Reverently the All-knowing Meritorious Dalai Lama and the incarnation of Sodnam Dagpa,14 [832] Together with all of the Buddha Samgha as desired arrived. [833] Altan Khan and Queen Jönggen arrived, leading the Five Colored Nations,

[834] With minds overflowing with faith and belief, [835] [They] worshipped and prostrated themselves with absolute unshakable reverence, [836] To the vajra-emblazoned sole of the Crown Jewel Holy Dalai Lama’s foot. [837] Continuously many types of alms, they said,

[838] “All-knowing Holy Dalai Lama, who is at the head of all, [839] Indeed, all the divisions of Buddhist Samgha, [840] Whose holy mind never fears returning, nor never tires [841] Of thinking of helping all beings, peace be on you.”

[842] The one whose wisdom and are perfect, [843] In the three infinite eons, [844] The incarnation of A¯ rya Avalokites´vara, [845] The Incomparable Meritorious Dalai Lama spoke.

[846] “With the blessing of the Three Supreme Jewels, [847] In order to spread the unparalleled religion of the Buddha,