Miscellanae Nepalicae: Early Chinese Reports on Nepal The Foundation Legend of Nepal in its Trans-Himalayan Context

Introductory There was no single premise that to the conception the present stody, rather were many arras' that slowly and over long period time became woven the fabric of following pages-a fabric that would not taken shape the encouragement many colleagues and friends. Some sowed seed consciously, others had idea that they caused profitophala. Indeed, pauraṇācārya never imagined that later-born person like author pick up threads that they had once begun twist and weave together.

first interest in the Karakorum Himalaya ranges with on the pilgrim record of Faxian, which not lead me at least Khotan and foundation legend. An article John Brough pointed out possible relations foundation Tibet Nepal. the Faxian text had no direct reference these legends, laid the subject aside the time being.

Professor Alexander asked occasion Vienna think was summer of 2002, not remember about Chinese sources on Nepal, especially about Wang Xuance E prompted take these texts Later Alex also provided useful bibliographical information about the Svayambhupurana and kindly sent an electronic version prior its publication, autochthonous of the Svayambhu caitya. This helped me clear some uncertainties my analysis of Nepalese myth. During research stay Japan in 2003, by my Japanese friend colleague Professor Funayama Toru ali the kagaku kenkyujo Kyoto University科had pleasure of one session of study Chinese the western regions under the leadership of Professor Takata Tokio at that was reading the fragments Wang Xuance. brought me again contact with these text fragments. Professor Christian Wittern subsequently helped get hold of copy Chinese edition Wang Xuance's by Xiushen.

**Contents and Sample Pages**