Commonly known as ro-drung (corpse stories), The Tales of The Corpse have been an integral part of Tibetan folk tales for many centuries. Originally written in Sanskrit by the great Indian Buddhist master Nagarjuna, The Golden Corpse Stories was translated into Tibetan many centuries back. Today, one can find many versions of the golden corpse stories with different titles and number of stories. But despite the differences, the plot and the three main characters (the saint, the boy and the corpse) remain the same.
In this collection, a boy accidentally meets a saint and finding the boy determined and honest, the saint assigns him the task of fetching the corpse called Ro Ngodrup Gyatso from the mountain cemetery. The boy must redeem himself by carrying a talking corpse full of wondrous tales on a long journey, without himself speaking a word. These tales of intrigue and magic provide the reader with a window through which to view ancient Tibetan culture. Within them, you will encounter heroes and villains, Fear some witches, murderous demons, and clever tricksters with a uniquely Tibetan humour. Songs, riddles, jokes, and saying make the stories come alive as they unfold against the background of everyday Tibet – its farmers and nomads, kings and magical beings.
目次
Foreword v Translator’s Note vii 1. The Prince, the Son of a Rich Man and the Son of a Beggar 1 2. The Fortunate Girl 5 3. The King Returns from Death 13 4. The Wise Prince Tests his Wife 21 5. The Wandering Merchant 29 6. The Half Blind Prince 35 7. The Boy Who Never Tells Lies 39 8. The Intelligent Minister 45 9. The Girl Langchung and the Rooster 53 10. The Girl Soka and her Kind Horse 63 11. The Foolish Girl Who Killed Her Mother 71 12. The Boy Merchant 79 13. The Snake and the Tortoise 83 14. The Kind Elder Brother and His Sister 89 15. The Poor Weaver 95 16. The Evil Queen 103 17. The Pig-Head Diviner 113 18. The Girl Who Could Remember Her Previous Lives 121 19. The Boy Who Could Interpret Dreams 127 20. The Evil Stepmother 135 21. Prince Dhondup 143
