rence, by Chinese writers, is about coincident with the Great Deluge. It is related that during the Fu-shi dynasty (3100 B.C.), a rebel of the name of Kung-kung caused a great inundation. This is an allegorical impersonation of the Evil spirit in the following legend, quoted by Klaproth:—Kung-kung proceeded with Chuan-shu to conquer the world; in his rage he struck a tremendous blow at Mount Pu-shan, which broke the pillars supporting the heavens and tore asunder the bands confining the earth. The heavens fell on the north-west, and part of the earth split off in a south-east direction, causing a great inundation, and this devastated the north-west of Central Asia and swept away the south-eastern part of the continent; the remains of which are the Australian islands of the present day.'[1]
THE GANDJUR OR KANJUR. THE SACRED LITERATURE OF ТIBЕТ.
P. 211.
The collection of sacred books—the Tibetan Bible, is entitled Kanjur, i.e. Translation of the Word (of Buddha). It was translated entirely from Sanskrit originals in the eighth and ninth centuries, when the canon was closed. It consists of 100 volumes, in some editions extending to 108 vols.—oblong folios of separate leaves, 400-700 in each volume, unbound, placed between two rough boards, and fastened with a rude strap and buckle. The Kanjur contains not less than 1083 distinct works, which relate to the teachings of Buddha, and which were set down by three of his disciples, and after certain revisions formed into the present codex. It is divided into seven parts, each containing several volumes.
In addition to this great compilation—the Bible of the Lama hierarchy,—the Tibetans possess a still greater collection, called the Tanjur, i.e. Translation of Doctrine, in 225 folio volumes. This, however, is not included in the
- ↑ See Ritter's 'Erdkunde von Asien,' i. 158-160.—Deguignes' 'Hist, des Huns,' t. i. p. 7.
