The next day, as the sun rose, all the elders and high-ranking generals, each accompanied by thirty warriors, set out happily for the “Shiri Lazi” white rock cliff in the lower valley of Chawarong, where the arrows were hidden. The cliff was very tall, with a steep, smooth front. In the center, several protruding white stones sparkled like embedded jewels, clearly marking the location of the arrow treasury.

Once they arrived, the soldiers dismounted their horses and gathered various fragrant herbs, which they burned to create clouds of incense smoke. The white smoke quickly filled the sky, and everyone prayed to the heavens.

At this moment, Darong Commander Chotong stepped forward from the group. He approached a large white rock shaped like a reclining elephant, sat down with his thigh resting on one leg, and placed the key to the treasury—attached to an arrow—onto his bowstring. He began to sing:

"Alata Tarata Raye,
Taralu Yilanlu Raye.

Boundless heavens full of peace,
Respected Tsong Rinpoche, savior of all,
And my master, Jewel Lama,
Smile upon us and grant long life.

Your compassion forms clouds in the sky,
Showering us with the rain of nectar.
In the mandala of Wangdze Repé,
We pray to the great Horse-Necked King.

O Vajra deities of body, speech, and mind,
Bless my body and soul.
Amid the terrifying waves of blood oceans,
And blazing fires of wrathful tents,
I fix my gaze on the blood-red spear tip.

Do you know where we are?
Beneath the Shiri Lazi cliff in Chawarong,
The site of the Arrow Treasury.
Do you know who I am?
At the Sazang Silong junction,
Within the stronghold of Borang Nianzong,

Where the heart of a tiger resides,
I, Chotong of Darong, am of noble descent.
As the elder of 700,000 Darong households,
A descendant of Mubudong,
Like a lion of snowy peaks,
Who else but me, Darong Chotong, could be here?

Born from noble blood, from the age of eight,
I, Chotong of Darong,
Subdued the demon Kezé Reba.
During the war between Ling and Drong,
When Ling was nearly defeated,
The tiger roars of Chiju camp
Scared away the foxes of Drong.

Standing firm before the fierce enemy,
I never relied on reinforcements.
In the heavenly realm of Ling,
My heart is as kind as a shepherd’s.

But when enemies invade,
I am as fierce as hail on crops.
In all these past days,
Enemies have been subdued on all sides.
Ling’s virtuous foundation is rooted firmly.

In the lands of Jambudvipa,
All nations envy Chotong.
Is it sandalwood or willow?
You’ll know by its scent.
Is it brass or gold?
You’ll know by its weight.

Is it the green cuckoo bird?
You’ll know by its call.
The greatness of Darong’s history,
Needs no boasting—it is well known.
If I speak the truth,

This year, Ling’s great army marched,
And the goal of coming to Chawarong,
Was already revealed by the gods.
Everyone speaks of the Arrow Treasury,

But if no one opens it,
What’s the point of winning the war?
The war between Ling and Chawarong,
Revolves entirely around the Arrow Treasury.

If I open it, does it not count as a great merit?
In Ling’s great assembly,
The wise elders plan the strategy,
The clever Joru devises schemes,
And the boastful generals take pride.

But let me, Chotong,
Shoulder the responsibility of opening the treasury.

The sons of Ling,
Have always succeeded through their deeds.
And today,
This victory belongs to me, Chotong.

Behold the silver arrow with eagle feathers,
Tailored with golden ends,
Adorned with green jade.
With the golden key tied to it,
I notch it onto my bowstring,

And with the strength of my arms,
I draw the bow.
Shiri Lazi, the crystal fortress,
Its smooth and seamless surface,
Will soon yield to my arrow.

Listen, guardians of the treasury!
Protect this act with virtue.
Do not harbor jealousy or ill will,
But perform this act for the greater good.
May this treasury be opened,
And the arrows obtained for the benefit of Ling."

​

​

After the song, the arrow was released. That day was an auspicious one for opening the arrow treasury. The gods of heaven, earth, and dragons, who protected virtuous deeds, came to assist. Additionally, Joru’s pure and sincere prayers, combined with Chotong’s own efforts and blessings from his patron deity, contributed to the success. The bowstring made a long, melodious sound as the arrow soared through the air. The horizon wavered like waves crashing upon the shore, and the deep rumble of summer thunder echoed continuously. Under the brilliant sunlight, a fine drizzle began to fall, and a vibrant rainbow arched across the sky. Many miraculous phenomena appeared.

At that very moment, Chotong’s arrow hit the center of the white rock cliff. It produced a deafening sound, like a thousand voices shouting in unison, and the treasury’s gate burst open. Arrows with tails of gold, silver, jade, coral, copper, iron, and conch shells came pouring out of the cave in a torrent. The soldiers of Ling were overjoyed and could not stop praising the sight.

After a while, the flow of arrows stopped. Everyone rushed forward and carried out large bundles of arrows, piling them in an open space until the heap was as tall as a building. Since it wasn’t possible to transport them all back to the city that day, three attendants were sent to the city to prepare pack animals for the task.

​

​

The commander, Chotong, suggested that someone inspect the cave to see if anything else was left inside. A few generals approached the cave and noticed a brightly colored curtain deep inside. Curious about what it might be, they reported it to Chotong.

Chotong believed there could be more valuable treasures inside, so he declared:
“Today is an auspicious day, and only I, the elder Chotong, am fortunate enough to finish what we started. We must make every effort to retrieve all the treasures from this cave.”

Inwardly, Chotong thought to himself, “The prophecy from the gods only mentioned arrows, not anything else. If there are treasures inside, no one else but me has the magical ability to retrieve them from this steep cliff. This is a good chance to mock the others—like the chief steward, Gyacha, and even Joru.” However, he also realized that Joru, with his cleverness, might appear at any moment. Thinking it unwise to say too much, he changed his tone and said:

“Well, if there really are treasures in the cave, as the chief steward mentioned, I will retrieve them. But remember, in past battles, when we faced lone enemies, so many soldiers were sent to handle a single foe. The victory was small, yet everyone praised it like a dragon’s roar, as if building a ‘mani mound’ higher and higher. Now, retrieving these treasures is vital, and if we fail, it would be a huge regret. As the elder here, I’ll take on this tough task. You all just stay put and watch the show. But don’t forget me when this is all over!”

As Chotong finished speaking, his body glowed with radiance. With a loud "whoosh," he leapt into the air like a bird returning to its nest and disappeared into the cave.

​

Inside the cave, Chotong saw a golden statue of Vajrapani, the deity of infinite merit, standing in the depths. To its right was a stone platform holding a golden longevity vase filled with nectar. There was also an undergarment belonging to the revered master Padmasambhava, along with a pair of boots.

In a metal box, he found many multicolored protective knots and a small yellow silk pouch containing black pellets the size of peas. He took these items and noticed two more objects: a tiny statuette of a celestial maiden on the threshold and a long iron spear with both its head and tail made of metal. Beneath it lay a wrathful ritual club tightly wedged in the cracks of the rock.

Chotong tried to retrieve the club but couldn’t pull it loose. He thought, “It’s best to leave this behind for the guardian demon of the treasure to remember.” With this, he tucked the two statues into his robe, wrapped the rest of the items in Padmasambhava’s garment, slung them onto his back, and carried the golden vase in his hand.

When he emerged at the cave’s entrance, the soldiers of Ling were eagerly watching. Like an eagle, he glided down and landed in front of them. The crowd erupted in cheers, praising his supernatural abilities.

Chotong laughed and said, “Why are you all crowding around me like townsfolk at a market stall? These treasures are precious ‘Ritual Blessings.’ They cannot be casually displayed. Quickly, bring a clean mat to place them on!”

The soldiers immediately built a stone platform, covered it with silk, and burned incense around it. Only then did Chotong carefully arrange the treasures on the mat. He then said:
“Generals, especially the chief steward, come and see these treasures! There’s an old Tibetan saying: ‘Even the Buddha can be criticized by biased people.’ Though my actions today are as bright as the sun, some may still try to tarnish them like clouds covering the sun.”

As he spoke, Chotong rubbed his beard, smiled humorously, and winked at the crowd.

The chief steward of Ling, observing Chotong, thought to himself: “This Chotong always takes a small achievement, as insignificant as a horse’s tail, and inflates it into something as grand as a raging river. He can’t go three sentences without taking a jab at the elder generals. But today, he’s obtained so many enviable treasures, so let him brag. After all, today is a day of great fortune and success for Ling, and it’s best not to speak any ill-omened words.”

Smiling slightly, he said aloud: “Ah, great elder Chotong of Darong, you truly are the manifestation of the Horse-Necked King. Skilled in mantras and illusions, you’ve accomplished many remarkable deeds. Everyone here is only filled with joy and admiration for you—no one would dare to criticize. We should celebrate your achievements and reward you.”

The officials all lifted the treasures high above their heads, offering prayers and blessings. That night, they camped near the white rock cliff.

Early the next morning, a large number of mules and horses arrived, and the treasures, along with the arrows, were loaded onto over 300 loads and transported back to the city. Upon entering the city, the sacred statues and divine medicines were placed on the main seat of the council hall. The arrows were sorted, bundled, and neatly arranged with their tips pointing upward.

Once the generals were seated, a grand banquet was prepared. Elder Chotong remarked: “Should we distribute these arrows now?”

General Sipan responded: “Good idea! But how exactly should we divide them? Let the chief steward decide.”

The chief steward, considering Joru’s young age, thought it best to temporarily store most of the treasures and arrows obtained from Chawarong. He said:
“In my opinion, we don’t need to distribute everything at once. Let’s take out a portion now and distribute them according to rank among the officials and soldiers present. The remaining treasures and arrows should be taken back to Ling and divided after further discussion. What do you all think?”

Gyacha, another general, chimed in: “Good idea! Chief steward, please decide how much to distribute and the method of division.”

The chief steward replied: “Alright, let’s proceed as follows for now.”

He then sang a song:

"Alata Tarata Raye,
Taralu Yilanlu Raye.

I pray to my master and protector deities,
May the Three Jewels never leave my crown.

If you don’t know where this is,
It is the grand council hall of Dongga Jinzhong Fortress,
Spacious and bright.

If you don’t know who I am,
My name is Rongchacha Gen.
I am the leader of Ling,
Known as a wise and farsighted person.

On the battlefield, I command the four divisions of Ling.
In the distribution of spoils,
I am impartial and just.

Though I have lived through glorious days,
I have never been arrogant or unreasonable.
Though I have endured many days of hardship,
I have never shed a single tear.

I have never envied those above me,
Nor have I oppressed those below me.
When others suffer, I feel discomfort,
And I have never delighted in their pain.

For the foundation of Ling,
I am loyal and dedicated to my duty.
Though I never sought power,
The people of Ling respect and admire me.

Because of my calmness and integrity,
A small man like me was given high office.
But if one is wise yet impatient,
Even the highest position may lead to decline.
Let us see how this unfolds.

Now, let us talk about Ling’s leaders.
In this war between Chawarong and Ling,
Chawarong was defeated,
And Ling emerged victorious.

This was thanks to Ling’s brave soldiers,
The timely prophecy of the gods,
Joru’s magical transformations,
And the steadfast support of the protectors.
These four factors ensured our success.

Therefore, these fine arrows,
Should first be offered to our masters and protectors,
As auspicious gifts to honor them,
To recognize the achievements of our soldiers,
And to ensure blessings of long life and prosperity.

Bundles of ninety arrows,
Adorned with gold, silver, and carnelian,
Tied with five-colored silk,
Shall be offered as sacred gifts.

Second, to the young Joru,
Though he looks like a mere boy,
He is beyond comprehension by both gods and demons.
His magical powers and foresight,
Are unparalleled in this world.

Let us not forget this war,
Between Chawarong and Ling.
Thanks to Ling’s leaders and soldiers,
The enemy was defeated, and the arrows were won.
Yet this smooth victory,
Was foretold by Joru.
The strong enemy was crushed,
And the arrows obtained.

For this, to Joru,
We offer a gift of gratitude:
One hundred and fifty arrows with conch-shell tips,
A long spear with heavenly iron fittings,
And the second batch of auspicious offerings.

Third, to the local deities of Ling,
And the many protective guardian deities,
To thank them for their support in our victory,
We offer another sacred gift:
A bundle of sixty radiant arrows,
With various precious tails.

Next is to the elder Chotong of Darong,
Who opened the arrow treasury,
Obtaining many rare treasures.
He deserves a great reward:
A long, white khata,
A bundle of golden-tailed arrows,
Five-colored longevity knots,
And seven protective medicines.

To honor and thank you,
We present these treasures to you.

To General Sipan,
Who holds great power and commands the four divisions,
We offer one hundred and thirty coral-tipped arrows,
Along with three protective medicines.

To General Gyacha,
A shining pearl among Ling’s heroes,
We offer one hundred and thirty silver-tipped arrows,
Along with the same protective medicines.

To the many leaders of Ling,
Each shall receive ninety arrows,
And the protective medicines shall be distributed equally.

As for myself and Senlun,
Though we did not fight on the battlefield,
We worked tirelessly and thoughtfully,
To ensure the foundation of Ling’s future.
For the respect of the elders,
We shall receive one hundred and eight golden arrows,
Along with the same protective medicines.

For those who achieved great merit,
All the generals and heroes,
Will receive their due rewards.

Throughout history,
Rewards have always been given fairly.
Today, to honor our heroes,
Each shall receive fifty arrows.

For the soldiers of the four divisions,
Each shall receive twenty-five arrows,
Along with three protective medicines.

To the Queen of Chawarong and her ministers,
Each shall receive a colorful knot of silk.
To help restore Chawarong’s vitality,
Three arrows wrapped in silk shall be given.

A pair of boots belonging to Master Padmasambhava,
Along with some of his garments,
Shall also be left for them.

Among the remaining treasures,
Two sacred statues,
And a portion of the arrows,
Along with Chawarong’s three sacred treasures,
Will be taken back to Ling for safekeeping.

For now, they shall be kept as public property,
For the benefit of all Ling.
May everyone here keep this in mind."

After the song ended, everyone nodded in agreement.

​

Just as the soldiers were receiving their arrows, a sudden burst of music filled the air outside the balcony of the council hall. Cymbals, six-string zithers, suonas, hand drums, and various other instruments played harmoniously, creating a beautiful and melodious sound.

At the end of the rainbow stretching across the sky, Joru appeared, dressed in his usual attire. He walked forward, carefully examined the displayed treasures and arrows, and said: “Ah! Elder Chotong of Darong! This time, in capturing the Arrow Treasury, you have accomplished an extraordinary and earth-shaking feat. This is truly wonderful. Elder, you are different from the other elders. You have gone to great lengths to ensure that I, Joru, achieve fame and success, accomplishing remarkable deeds.

Before I, Joru, even had land or mountains to call my own, you gave me all six valleys on the sunny side of the Yellow River. Your kindness and generosity toward me are boundless. For the sake of my future achievements, I hope you will continue to assist me with even greater effort!

First, to thank you for your past generosity.
Second, so that you may continue to help me in the future.
And third, to contribute to the success of our current endeavors.

To express my gratitude, I present you with this white khata—a modest but auspicious gift of the highest quality.”

After finishing, Joru draped the khata around Chotong’s neck.

​

Chotong thought to himself: “In the past, I never had good intentions toward Joru. I never considered doing anything good for him. Yet somehow, everything I did ended up benefiting him instead. Things have indeed turned out the opposite of what I intended. Not only does he hold no grudge against me, but he also speaks so many words of gratitude.

But who knows? Perhaps his words are insincere, and he doesn’t mean what he says! How can I trust him? Still, I might as well go along with it. There’s no way to argue or oppose him—it would only leave me in an embarrassing position. However, today he gifted me this khata, which is reasonable and appropriate.”

Thinking this, Chotong smiled cheerfully, standing tall and proud.

Joru then asked: “Today, everyone has received their share of arrows. Was a share left for me?”

Gyacha stood up, brought over a prepared bundle, and placed it in front of Joru, saying: “This is your share.”

​

​

Joru was overjoyed and said with a wide smile:
“Today, even I, the insignificant Joru, have been recognized as a member of the Ling Kingdom and received such a generous share. I am truly delighted. Now that our enemies have been subdued and essential military supplies have been secured, while we are all gathered here as brothers and elders, I, Joru, would like to sing a song for everyone. Please listen:

"Alata Tarata Raye,
Taralu Yilanlu Raye.

I pray to the Threefold Buddha,
The eternal Dharmakaya in the vast sky,
The Sambhogakaya rises like the sun,
Dispelling darkness with the light of the Nirmanakaya.

If you don’t know where we are,
Beside the spacious Chawarong Valley,
In the palace of Dongga Jinzhong Fortress,
Where the elders and brothers of Ling
Gather joyfully for this celebration.
Surely you know me.

In the eastern land of Mayu,
A desolate wilderness under clouded skies,
Three peaks rise tall into the blue heavens,
The sun and moon circle around their ridges.

On the right, in the dark forest,
Ferocious beasts roar and shake the cliffs.
On the left, on the green meadows,
Wild animals gather, noisy and restless.
Behind, on the solid white cliffs,
Cold winds howl as eagles soar.

When the sun rises each day,
Tigers, leopards, and bears roam the mountains.
Wolves and foxes conspire together,
Eagles and hawks glide through the skies.

A paradise for wild birds and beasts,
Feasting on flesh and blood, rejoicing.
But when night falls,

Demons and ghosts emerge,
Wandering and causing an uproar,
Their strange cries thunderous,
Wailing and howling in chaotic noise.
Owls shriek,
Foxes howl loudly, spreading fear.

In such a desolate and vicious place,
The cruel wild beasts show their ferocity.
Day and night, I, Joru, lived under constant threat,
Trembling with fear, my heart uneasy.
I could barely endure the passage of time.

The wicked commander harmed the innocent,
Orders from above could not be defied.
The story of my suffering—
Who in Ling does not know of it?

Ah, but I am only joking.
I, Joru, have lived happily and joyfully.
The people of Ling have not experienced the peace
That I found in those quiet valleys,
Practicing virtue and finding joy in my heart.

Without the tranquility of the mountain solitude,
It would be hard to find such peace.
That sacred and serene place,
A holy field blessed by the Buddhas of the Three Times,
A refuge for the wise,
A sanctuary of blessings from the masters.

The residence of dakinis and kind spirits,
A place where greed is abandoned,
A land for completing spiritual practice.
Such a sacred place cannot be replaced.

Since I left my mother’s embrace,
I turned to the Buddha, abandoning evil,
And only then could I witness the Dharmakaya.
The world before my eyes seemed like a child’s game.

Illusions and emptiness are their true nature,
Blessings and karma are ours to cultivate.
With wisdom and mindfulness combined,
Diligent practice leads to mastery.

Lowly emotions can be cast aside,
The body and mind become free and unbound.
Wherever you wish to go, it takes but a moment.
The wisdom of the Threefold Buddha shines in your heart.
Such extraordinary attainment,
Can only be realized through purity.

I, Joru, have been blessed with this pure land,
Thanks to the generosity of Elder Chotong.
I will repay you slowly in the future.

To all the leaders of Ling,
I still have more to say:
In early spring, if you don’t venture out,
You won’t hear the cuckoo’s call.
Now, in the first month of summer,
Its sweet chirping fills the air.

If you don’t listen carefully now,
You may not hear it again.
Before mid-summer’s end,
You won’t see the barley grow tall.
But now, as autumn begins,
The granaries are filled with golden grain.

If you don’t enjoy it now,
The six grains won’t always be ripe.

Before the Chawarong warriors were defeated,
No one knew where Chotong was.
On the first day of our good fortune,
We witnessed how Chotong opened the arrow treasury.
If we fail to praise him now,
There will be no better chance to honor him.

This time, to Elder Chotong,
Offering rewards is only right and proper.
Gifts must be given generously,
This aligns perfectly with my wishes.

Securing the slender-necked arrow treasury,
Is the first step for smaller clans,
Creating the conditions to conquer greater domains.
This achievement must be celebrated,
For it secures the long-term interests of Ling.

On this day of joy and happiness,
I, Joru, call forth blessings.
May the deities of the Thirty-Three Heavens fill the skies,
Guardians and wealth gods spread across the firmament.
May the light of virtue shine brightly on every mountain peak.

Let the sound of melodious mountain songs echo,
Let cheerful laughter fill every face.
May they grant us success and happiness.
I pray to the Northern Heavenly King, the Great God of Wealth,
And to the auspicious goddesses of fortune.

May Vaisravana, the God of Wealth,
Shower us with treasures like rain.
Among the celestial ranks of the upper realms,
May the great Brahma King and all the heavenly gods,
Bestow divine longevity and peace,
As sunlight and moonlight dispel all darkness.

In the crystal palace of the lower realms of the dragon kings,
May Gawu, Gyepo, and all dragon kings,
Enjoy their treasures and jewels,
Like heavenly nectar descending from above.

On the vast earth of the middle realm,
May the heavenly kings who turn the tides of fate,
Bring forth the wealth and blessings desired by all.
May the auspicious four-fold blessings descend completely.

The seven precious treasures of the Wheel-Turning King,
With the power to promote good and dispel evil,
The eight auspicious symbols and eight auspicious objects,
And the essence of the 'Gyongshi' treasures, may they all arrive.

Let there be spectacular performances and sweet melodies,
Delicious food and drink that please the palate,
Comfortable, soft clothing that pleases the body,
And all the blessings of the five senses be gathered here.

Strong armor and sharp weapons,
Swift, intelligent horses and mules,
Yaks, dairy cows, and sheep,
May all the blessings of four-legged animals be summoned here.

May families be full of children and grandchildren,
With silk and grain overflowing in their storehouses.
May longevity, health, prosperity, and the Buddha's teachings flourish,
And may all our wishes be fulfilled.

May the army, skilled in defense and counterattack,
Brave, resilient, and wise,
Fully equipped in all branches of service,
Be blessed with luck on the battlefield.

Arrows of three-sectioned bamboo with feathered shafts,
And iron-tipped arrows that pierce enemy hearts,
Superior weapons that adorn heroes,
May all blessings of feathered arrows be called upon.

Five-colored silk adorning arrow shafts,
Today, we wave the flag of arrows to summon good fortune.

May the blessings of the earthly realm,
Descend from the heavens like rain,
Rise from the ground like mist,
And fly in the air like snowstorms.

May these blessings and treasures gather here,
Like nectar dissolving into the ocean.
May these blessings remain forever effective,
May the nectar of long life overflow to the four directions.

May the knots of longevity blessings never come undone,
May the longevity pills always retain their potency.
May fortune and power rise to prominence,
May homes flourish with abundance and joy.

May strong enemies be subdued and their wealth seized,
May families and friends gather and celebrate for centuries,
May a thousand years of good fortune and happiness prevail.

May wise teachers of the Dharma enjoy long lives,
May their teachings achieve great success.
May the benefactors of Buddhism flourish with blessings,
May the Dharma spread endlessly.

Across this vast earth,
May plagues and wars disappear.
May timely rains bring abundant harvests and thriving livestock,
And may all living beings enjoy eternal happiness and peace."

When Joru finished singing this song of blessings and celebration, the people who already loved him felt even more sincere faith and admiration for him. Even those who were indifferent to him before now developed a deep sense of respect and awe.

​

Queen Yangmintso of Chawarong, along with Minister Yongzhurause and the servants of Chawarong, came to pay their respects to Joru and listen to his teachings. As they listened, they were filled with extraordinary admiration for him. Drawing from their wealth, they offered Joru gifts of silk, gold, and silver.

In particular, Queen Yangmintso presented high-quality silk and an abundant amount of gold and silver. She approached Joru gracefully, removed a gold bracelet from her wrist, and offered it to him. With tears in her eyes, she said: “I take refuge in the Buddha and pay my respects to the noble Joru, a hero whose kindness is as great as a mountain. I have long admired your fame and wished to meet you and receive your teachings. Today, meeting you feels like rain falling after a long drought or drinking nectar to quench great thirst. My lifelong wish is fulfilled, and I feel both joy and sorrow, overwhelmed and uneasy.

We, who are helpless and lost, are eternally grateful to you in this life and the next. Those two sinful brothers, Nangla and his sibling, have both passed on. I thank you for rescuing them from the lower realms of suffering. I beg you, noble and precious Joru, to liberate them completely!”

Joru replied: “Devotee Yangmintso, listen carefully. Your wish has already been fulfilled. When Nangla passed away, I performed rituals to guide him to the Western Paradise. The compassion of the Three Jewels is never false. I, Joru, have sincerely guided all the fallen soldiers to better rebirths based on their merits. You must know that they will find increasing happiness, so there is no need for sorrow.

Life in this impermanent world is full of change. Reflect on whether you walk the path of virtue or the path of evil. If your mind is unsettled, only the Three Jewels can save you. Therefore, you must sincerely take refuge in the Buddha and work diligently to abandon evil and cultivate goodness. Repent for past wrongdoings and vow never to repeat them. Be generous, recite mantras, and practice the six-syllable mantra with body, speech, and mind dedicated to goodness. Do you understand, Yangmintso?”

​

Hearing this, the ministers and servants behind Yangmintso were filled with admiration. They were overjoyed and unanimously praised Joru.

Joru then said: “Now, I ask all of you soldiers to prepare to return the share of arrows that belongs to me. For the time being, please have Supervisor Sipan and Gyacha safeguard them. When I need them in the future, I will ask you to return them to me, is that alright?”

Danma said: “This time, Joru, why don’t you accompany all the elders and soldiers to Shanglingga? After that, we can return to Xianmai together and visit your mother. What do you think?”

Joru smiled and replied: “I, the beggar Joru, traveling with all of you would not be convenient. I cannot ride a horse, nor can I endure long journeys. It would only make things inconvenient for you commanders while traveling or resting. So, for now, I won’t go. Linggabu is the center of the world. Before long, I, Joru, will not only visit often but also plan to live there for an extended time. At that time, we can chat, discuss everything, and enjoy ourselves together.”

After speaking, melodious music filled the sky, radiant light shone brightly, and in the blink of an eye, Joru disappeared.

The elders and commanders present, witnessing Joru’s mysterious disappearance and hearing his profound teachings, felt both trust and wonder in their hearts. They realized that they would need to rely on Joru in the future. In that moment, silence fell over the gathering as everyone sank into deep thought.

​

Dalong Supervisor Sipan said: “I think all our officers and soldiers should prepare to depart in five days. Tomorrow, we can first send messengers to Ling to deliver the news. The stored arrows, other non-essential items, and the pack mules and horses can leave first along with most of the civilians. Does this sound reasonable? Let’s discuss.”

Everyone agreed, saying: “That’s a good plan.”

The next day, the Ling Kingdom's three clans—senior, middle, and junior—each sent a warrior to deliver the message. Over the next three days, the officers and soldiers set up tents and shelters in the large open field south of the royal palace. They held a grand celebratory military banquet, enjoying themselves with food, drink, and entertainment. At the same time, they took breaks to pack their belongings, supplies, and travel necessities.

On the second day of the banquet, under a large tent, Serbani Bendaya, accompanied by Danma and Bala, summoned Queen Yangmintso, Minister Yongzhurause, and the leaders of the Chawarong villages and tribes. Once everyone had arrived and taken their seats, Serbani announced the appointment of Queen Yangmintso and Minister Yongzhurause as the leaders of the Chawarong region. He also issued the Ten Virtuous Laws and Five Regulations, requiring all men and women to respect and strictly follow them. The village and tribe leaders were instructed to post these rules at major roads and gathering places.

The proclamation read: "To all beings of high and low status living in the land of Chawarong:

The supreme Buddha, his disciples, and the miraculous Avalokiteshvara illuminate all of the snowy land, especially the regions of Great Tibet and Dokham. Since the integration of religion and governance, led by the boundless power of purity and the expulsion of extreme dark forces, all people have come to understand the consequences of good and evil actions. They firmly believe in the importance of choosing good and abandoning evil.

However, the evil brothers, King Nangla and his sibling, along with several misguided military generals who sought rebirth through dark rituals, cruelly oppressed the people and brought great suffering to the region. To subdue these demons, the gods gave clear guidance. Following these signs, our soldiers from Ling, disregarding their own safety, fought several battles and ultimately defeated these rulers and their officials.

The arrow treasury was successfully secured, and from now on, all beings in this land will walk the path of goodness in both this life and the next. All citizens are required to live peacefully and abide by the rules. Queen Yangmintso and the elder ministers will spread this proclamation, lead by example, and dedicate themselves to practicing goodness. If anyone harbors hostility and knowingly violates the rules, they will face severe consequences as prescribed by law. This is a matter of critical importance. Please choose wisely and do not stray from the path."

—Issued by the civil and military officials of Ling, in the Year of the Fire Rabbit, during the Saga Dawa month

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After three days of celebrations, at the break of dawn on the fourth day, the pack animals carrying luggage and supplies set off first. By the time the sun reached the mountain peaks, everyone except for the 2,300 soldiers left behind to guard the area had mounted their horses and departed in an orderly fashion.

The officials and attendants from Chawarong escorted the departing troops with offerings of fragrant tea and fine wine, following them all the way to the main road called “Zheqiong Gong’a.”

Five days later, the elders of Ling and the remaining 1,300 rear guards also set out. Crowds gathered to watch the procession, lining the roads like ants emerging from a nest. They burned fragrant smoke and incense as a sign of blessing. Queen Yangmintso and Minister Yongzhurause, accompanied by thirty servants, followed the Ling officials to the Chawarong main road. They offered tea, wine, cheese, and khatas (ceremonial scarves) to the commanders. After the offerings, the Ling officials and their troops mounted their warhorses and joyfully returned home.

When the Ling soldiers and officials arrived back in their homeland, crowds of men, women, and children came out to greet them, with some traveling great distances to welcome them. Once all the troops had regrouped, a grand celebratory feast began the following day.

The feast lasted for seven days. During this time, there were no distinctions between nobles and commoners, officers and soldiers, or men and women. Everyone danced, sang, and played together day and night, celebrating without restraint.

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After seven days of celebration, the supreme masters of Ling, revered as saviors and protectors, were invited to attend the gathering. The people presented them with khatas and requested their blessings. The returning soldiers offered the stored treasures and high-quality arrows from the armory to the masters.

Together with the elders and commanders, the masters organized a grand offering ceremony to honor the protective deities, land gods, and war gods who had ensured their success. They prayed for the prosperity of virtuous beings and the decline of evil forces, hoping that the integration of religion and governance would flourish like a waxing moon.

Following the ceremony, two sacred statues, an elixir vase for longevity, protective talismans, and carefully packed longevity blessings were entrusted to the masters for safekeeping. The hidden arrows were cataloged and stored in the “One Glance Liberation” temple.

Afterward, the masters were escorted back to their residences, and the elders and commanders returned to their respective castles.

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(Notes)

Pulu (氆氇): A transliteration of a Tibetan term, referring to a type of handmade woolen fabric. It comes in many varieties and is generally used as clothing material.