Lama Tsongkhapa Rosary Divination

Abstract

Rosary divinations used to be most widespread in Tibet, Mongolia, Buryatia, Kalmykia and other Buddhist regions. Various types of this divination include ones implying appeals to Yidam deities, Buddhist protector deities, and prominent spiritual teachers. The latter are rare enough, and such rosary divinations are of particular interest. Goals. The article introduces into scientific discourse a Tibetan text of the Lama Tsongkhapa rosary divination. This is an example of divination text based on a religious figure. Materials. The rosary divination text was received from Rev. Zhargaal D. Dugdanov, a Buddhist priest affiliated to Ivolginsky Datsan (Buryatia, Russia), and has never been published in Russian before. Results. The article analyzes traditional rosary divination techniques, translates, transliterates the text, and publishes its facsimile.