Terma Epic Theory

The purpose of this dissertation is to comment on the history process of Buddhist epic of Gesar by the study of relationship between Terma tradition in Tibetan Buddhism and Gesar Epic.The Gesar Epic can be divided into two types: RGyal-sgrung(King Epic) and Choa-sgning(Euddhist Epic). The former is regarded as the epic, which has less influence of Buddhism. The later is considered as the epic, which has strong Buddhist factors. Ter-sgrung(Hidden Epic) is the typical epic that was influenced by Buddhism, as well as the origin of the Buddhist epic. This type of epic can be traced back to the period of Tubo in 8 to 9 centuries, which was the inevitable outcome of evolution of the Tibetan Buddhism. During that time, the Buddhism played an essential role in the central Tibet. However, the Buddhists have still faced two tasks: one was how to spread the Buddhism beyond the central Tibet. Another was how to protect the Buddhism from The various disasters. In order to achieve this goal, Buddhists carried out two measures: installed Buddhist ideas into Tibetan folk. In the case, Buddhists collected folk tales including Gesar epic, which were popular among Tibetans. By doing so, the tales were shaped as Buddhist Texts. Finally, the Buddhist epic was spread out in the remote areas in Tibet. This is the origin of Buddhist epic.The another measure is to conceal numerous Buddhist scriptures, objects and images in caves, lakes and stupas so on, which remind intact until the times of discovering. This has been known as "Terma" (Hidden Teachings or Treasures). To protect Buddhism from the disasters and to spread Buddhism out in remote regions, Buddhists concealed those Buddhist epic texts into the caves, lakes and stupas as a portion of the "Terma", which is well- known " gTer-sgrung" (Hidden epic). gTer-sgrung has two types: dNgos-gter gter-sgrung( Object Terma epic) and dGong-gter-gter-sgrung (Mind Terma Epic). Originally, they both were generated from the Earth Terma and the Mind Terma respectively in Tibetan Buddhist Terma tradition. They not only manifest the two different types of Gesar Epic form, but also represent two phases of involution process of Buddhist epic. The former mainly reflects the Indian Buddhist characteristics. The later reflects the Tibetan Buddhist characteristics. Therefore, The dngos-gter-gter-sgrung is the early form of Buddhist Epic, the dGongs-gter-gter-sgrung is the further development form of Buddhist epic.