Scripture from the Sky

This manuscript was found in the ‘library cave’ at Dunhuang. It appears to have been created as a copying exercise. The text refers to both Songtsen Gampo (Srong brtsan sgam po) and Tri Song Detsen (Khri srong lde brtsan), and to a period of subsequent decline. van Schaik (2010) suggests composition between the mid ninth and late tenth centuries.

The text is written in verse, in seven-syllable lines. It is introduced as concerning the scripture (dar ma) that fell from the sky. It refers to the laws of the king as one of the many aspects of the former kingdom that were suffering in the current age of decline.