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The Sanskrit title in the Degé Kangyur reads saṃvadanti for the Tibetan yang dag par brjod pa, which is grammatically incorrect. We have instead followed the title as it appears in the Stok Palace Kangyur, which reads saṃvarṇa, although here emending it to saṃvarṇana.
This appears in the Mongolian printed Kanjur in the section Various Sūtras (Mong. eldeb, Tib. mdo sna tshogs). Its Mongolian title here is Qutuγ-tu tegünčilen iregsed-ün körüg bey-e-yi bayiγuluγsan-u sayin tusa-yi ünen-iyer ögüleküi neretü nom-un ǰüil (Noble Religious Practice “Clarification of the Benefits of Producing Representations of the Thus-Gone One”). Mongolian Kanjur, vol. 88, Eldeb, no. 1080, folios 264.a−266.b. Cf. Ligeti 1942, pp. 291–92. It is likewise included in the Mongolian handwritten Kanjur with the title Qutuγ-tu tegünčilen iregsed-ün körüg bey-e-yi aγulqui ači tusa-yi üneker ögüleküi nom-un ǰüil (Noble Religious Practice “Clarifying the Benefits of Keeping Representations of the Thus-Gone One”) vol. 96, Eldeb, folios 42.b–43.a. Mng2.794.
Tib. bong sted. Following the Chinese bu zai pin qiong 不在貧窮, we here translate this obscure Tibetan term as “free of poverty.”
The title given in the colophon differs from that given at the beginning. The initial title reads yang dag par brjod pa (“describing”), while the colophon has yang dag par bstan pa (“teaching”).
Omniscient one who sees and knows everything. Epithet of a buddha.
A large hall in the traditional Buddhist vihāra used for monastic assemblies.
Paltsek (eighth to early ninth century), from the village of Kawa north of Lhasa, was one of Tibet’s preeminent translators. He was one of the first seven Tibetans to be ordained by Śāntarakṣita and is counted as one of Guru Rinpoché’s twenty-five close disciples. In a famous verse by Ngok Lotsawa Loden Sherab, Kawa Paltsek is named along with Chokro Lui Gyaltsen and Zhang (or Nanam) Yeshé Dé as part of a group of translators whose skills were surpassed only by Vairotsana.
He translated works from a wide variety of genres, including sūtra, śāstra, vinaya, and tantra, and was an author himself. Paltsek was also one of the most important editors of the early period, one of nine translators installed by Tri Songdetsen (r. 755–797/800) to supervise the translation of the Tripiṭaka and help catalog translated works for the first two of three imperial catalogs, the Denkarma (ldan kar ma) and the Samyé Chimpuma (bsam yas mchims phu ma). In the colophons of his works, he is often known as Paltsek Rakṣita (rak+Shi ta).
Chief editor who finalized the Tibetan translation of The Noble Dharma Discourse Describing the Benefits of Producing Representations of the Thus-Gone One.
Translator who produced the Tibetan translation of The Noble Dharma Discourse Describing the Benefits of Producing Representations of the Thus-Gone One, among other works.
In Buddhist literature, this is an epithet applied to buddhas, most often to Śākyamuni. The Sanskrit term generally means “possessing fortune,” but in specifically Buddhist contexts it implies that a buddha is in possession of six auspicious qualities (bhaga) associated with complete awakening. The Tibetan term—where bcom is said to refer to “subduing” the four māras, ldan to “possessing” the great qualities of buddhahood, and ’das to “going beyond” saṃsāra and nirvāṇa—possibly reflects the commentarial tradition where the Sanskrit bhagavat is interpreted, in addition, as “one who destroys the four māras.” This is achieved either by reading bhagavat as bhagnavat (“one who broke”), or by tracing the word bhaga to the root √bhañj (“to break”).
A member of the highest of the four traditional castes in Hinduism, the priestly caste.
Indian scholar (Skt. upādhyāya) who assisted the Tibetan translation of The Noble Dharma Discourse Describing the Benefits of Producing Representations of the Thus-Gone One , among other works.
A person who gives alms, an offerer of a gift, or a donor. In the context of the text it is the person who orders an artist to produce the Tathāgata’s image and offers it to the monastic community.
Gods, demigods, and human beings compose the three fortunate realms of higher rebirth. Gods enjoy comfort and peace, but rarely attain enlightenment. The three realms of gods include the desire realm, form realm, and formless realm.
One of the first Buddhist monasteries, located in a park outside Śrāvastī, the capital of the ancient kingdom of Kośala in northern India. This park was originally owned by Prince Jeta, hence the name Jetavana, meaning Jeta’s grove. The wealthy merchant Anāthapiṇḍada, wishing to offer it to the Buddha, sought to buy it from him, but the prince, not wishing to sell, said he would only do so if Anāthapiṇḍada covered the entire property with gold coins. Anāthapiṇḍada agreed, and managed to cover all of the park except the entrance, hence the name Anāthapiṇḍadasyārāmaḥ, meaning Anāthapiṇḍada’s park. The place is usually referred to in the sūtras as “Jetavana, Anāthapiṇḍada’s park,” and according to the Saṃghabhedavastu the Buddha used Prince Jeta’s name in first place because that was Prince Jeta’s own unspoken wish while Anāthapiṇḍada was offering the park. Inspired by the occasion and the Buddha’s use of his name, Prince Jeta then offered the rest of the property and had an entrance gate built. The Buddha specifically instructed those who recite the sūtras to use Prince Jeta’s name in first place to commemorate the mutual effort of both benefactors.
Anāthapiṇḍada built residences for the monks, to house them during the monsoon season, thus creating the first Buddhist monastery. It was one of the Buddha’s main residences, where he spent around nineteen rainy season retreats, and it was therefore the setting for many of the Buddha’s discourses and events. According to the travel accounts of Chinese monks, it was still in use as a Buddhist monastery in the early fifth century ᴄᴇ, but by the sixth century it had been reduced to ruins.
The term bhikṣu, often translated as “monk,” refers to the highest among the eight types of prātimokṣa vows that make one part of the Buddhist assembly. The Sanskrit term literally means “beggar” or “mendicant,” referring to the fact that Buddhist monks and nuns—like other ascetics of the time—subsisted on alms (bhikṣā) begged from the laity.
In the Tibetan tradition, which follows the Mūlasarvāstivāda Vinaya, a monk follows 253 rules as part of his moral discipline. A nun (bhikṣuṇī; dge slong ma) follows 364 rules. A novice monk (śrāmaṇera; dge tshul) or nun (śrāmaṇerikā; dge tshul ma) follows thirty-six rules of moral discipline (although in other vinaya traditions novices typically follow only ten).
An epithet of the Buddha and a title for high lamas in the Tibetan tradition.
A visual representation fashioned in the likeness of someone.
The seven royal substances or treasures of a universal emperor: precious wheel (’khor lo rin po che), precious jewel (nor bu rin po che), precious queen (btsun mo rin po che), precious minister (blon po rin po che), precious elephant (glang po rin po che), precious excellent horse (rta mchog rin po che), and precious army officer (dmag dpon rin po che).
During the life of the Buddha, Śrāvastī was the capital city of the powerful kingdom of Kośala, ruled by King Prasenajit, who became a follower and patron of the Buddha. It was also the hometown of Anāthapiṇḍada, the wealthy patron who first invited the Buddha there, and then offered him a park known as Jetavana, Prince Jeta’s Grove, which became one of the first Buddhist monasteries. The Buddha is said to have spent about twenty-five rainy seasons with his disciples in Śrāvastī, thus it is named as the setting of numerous events and teachings. It is located in present-day Uttar Pradesh in northern India.
An epithet of the Buddha.
This term refers here to the ten divine qualities listed in the text: (1) divine lifespan, (2) divine complexion, (3) divine power, (4) divine happiness, (5) divine lordship, (6) divine form, (7) divine sound, (8) divine smell, (9) divine taste, and (10) divine touch. They can be divided into two groups of five, the latter five being the pleasures of the five senses (’dod yon lnga).
A frequently used synonym for buddha. According to different explanations, it can be read as tathā-gata, literally meaning “one who has thus gone,” or as tathā-āgata, “one who has thus come.” Gata, though literally meaning “gone,” is a past passive participle used to describe a state or condition of existence. Tatha(tā), often rendered as “suchness” or “thusness,” is the quality or condition of things as they really are, which cannot be conveyed in conceptual, dualistic terms. Therefore, this epithet is interpreted in different ways, but in general it implies one who has departed in the wake of the buddhas of the past, or one who has manifested the supreme awakening dependent on the reality that does not abide in the two extremes of existence and quiescence. It is also often used as a specific epithet of the Buddha Śākyamuni.
An ideal monarch or emperor who, as the result of the merit accumulated in previous lifetimes, rules over a vast realm in accordance with the Dharma. Such a monarch is called a cakravartin because he bears a wheel (cakra) that rolls (vartate) across the earth, bringing all lands and kingdoms under his power. The cakravartin conquers his territory without causing harm, and his activity causes beings to enter the path of wholesome actions. According to Vasubandhu’s Abhidharmakośa, just as with the buddhas, only one cakravartin appears in a world system at any given time. They are likewise endowed with the thirty-two major marks of a great being (mahāpuruṣalakṣaṇa), but a cakravartin’s marks are outshined by those of a buddha. They possess seven precious objects: the wheel, the elephant, the horse, the wish-fulfilling gem, the queen, the general, and the minister. An illustrative passage about the cakravartin and his possessions can be found in The Play in Full (Toh 95), 3.3–3.13.
Vasubandhu lists four types of cakravartins: (1) the cakravartin with a golden wheel (suvarṇacakravartin) rules over four continents and is invited by lesser kings to be their ruler; (2) the cakravartin with a silver wheel (rūpyacakravartin) rules over three continents and his opponents submit to him as he approaches; (3) the cakravartin with a copper wheel (tāmracakravartin) rules over two continents and his opponents submit themselves after preparing for battle; and (4) the cakravartin with an iron wheel (ayaścakravartin) rules over one continent and his opponents submit themselves after brandishing weapons.
According to Buddhist tradition, one who is worthy of worship (pūjām arhati), or one who has conquered the enemies, the mental afflictions (kleśa-ari-hata-vat), and reached liberation from the cycle of rebirth and suffering. It is the fourth and highest of the four fruits attainable by śrāvakas. Also used as an epithet of the Buddha.
’phags pa de bzhin gshegs pa’i gzugs brnyan bzhag pa’i phan yon yang dag par brjod pa zhes bya ba’i chos kyi rnam grangs. Toh 320, Degé Kangyur, vol. 72 (mdo sde, sa), folios 197.a–198.b.
’phags pa de bzhin gshegs pa’i gzugs brnyan bzhag pa’i phan yon yang dag par brjod pa zhes bya ba’i chos kyi rnam grangs. bka’ ’gyur (dpe bsdur ma) [Comparative Edition of the Kangyur]. 108 volumes. Beijing: Krung go’i bod rig pa dpe skrun khang (China Tibetology Press), 2006–2009, vol. 72, pp. 584–88.
dkar chag ’phang thang ma. Beijing: Mi rigs dpe skrun khang (Nationalities Press), 2003.
Qutuγ-tu tegünčilen iregsed-ün körüg bey-e-yi bayiγuluγsan-u sayin tusa-yi ünen-iyer ögüleküi neretü nom-un ǰüil. Mongolian Kanjur vol. 88, folios 264.a−266.b. Śata-piṭaka Series 101–208. Edited by Lokesh Chandra. New Delhi: Sharada Rani, 1973–79.
Herrmann-Pfandt, Adelheid. Die lHan kar ma: ein früher Katalog der ins Tibetische übersetzten buddhistischen Texte, 268. Wien: Verlag der Österreichischen Akademie der Wissenschaften, 2008.
Ligeti, Louis. Catalogue de Kanǰur Mongol imprimé. Vol. 1, Catalogue. Bibliotheca Orientalis Hungarica III. Budapest: Société Kőrösi Csoma, 1942.
In this sūtra, the Buddha Śākyamuni tells a group of monks how they should respond when asked about the karmic benefits accrued by patrons who create representations of the Buddha. He explains five kinds of benefits that such virtuous deeds bring.
This sūtra was translated from the Tibetan and introduced by the Alexander Csoma de Kőrös Translation Group, which is comprised of Krisztina Teleki and Karma Dorje (Rabjampa). Beáta Kakas served as Sanskrit expert and William Dewey served as the English-language editor.
The translation was completed under the patronage and supervision of 84000: Translating the Words of the Buddha.
In Describing the Benefits of Producing Representations of the Thus-Gone One, the Buddha Śākyamuni is residing in Śrāvastī, in Jeta’s Grove, Anāthapiṇḍada’s Park, when a large number of monks gather nearby and begin discussing how one should respond when asked about the karmic benefits accrued by creating representations of the Buddha. They approach the Buddha for guidance, and the Buddha explains the five kinds of benefits that such virtuous deeds bring. First, he elaborates on the excellent life circumstances such as happiness and fame that they will experience. Second, he details the characteristics of physical beauty that they will gain. Third, he lists the kinds of wealth they will accrue. Fourth, he states that the donor will become a universal emperor enjoying all the advantages of that position. Fifth, he explains that the donor will be reborn among the gods and enjoy all divine distinctions. The sūtra then concludes with the monks rejoicing and praising the Buddha.
This English translation is based on the Tibetan version in the Degé Kangyur in consultation with the variant readings recorded in the Comparative Edition (dpe bsdur ma) Kangyur. There is to our knowledge no extant Sanskrit version of this sūtra. The colophon to the Tibetan translation states that it was translated by the Indian preceptor Dharmākara, the translator Bandé Yeshé Nyingpo, and the chief editor Bandé Paltsek. As for the date of the Tibetan translation, the text’s inclusion in the Denkarma and Phangthangma imperial catalogs confirms its provenance in the late eighth or early ninth century.
A Chinese version of this text is also extant with the title Zuofoxingxiang jing 作佛形像. While its translator is unknown and its date is uncertain, it is mentioned in the Dongjin lu 東晉錄 (Record of the Eastern Jin, 317–420
A Mongolian translation of the text is also available in different versions of the Mongolian Buddhist canon, which is based on the Tibetan.
There is, to our knowledge, no previous English translation of the text to date, nor any translation into any other European language.
Homage to the Omniscient One.
Thus did I hear at one time. The Blessed One was residing in Śrāvastī, in Jeta’s Grove, Anāthapiṇḍada’s Park.
At that time a large number of monks had gathered in the assembly hall and started the following conversation: “Faithful brahmins or householders who remember what they are taught and have become increasingly learned may ask you how to practice virtue. There may also be some who delight in producing representations of the Thus-Gone One, who will come before us and inquire, ‘Respected ones, may we know how much benefit there is for donors when they produce a representation of the Thus-Gone One?’ How can we then respond to them in accordance with the Dharma when we do not know how much benefit results from producing a representation of the Thus-Gone One? We should ask the blessed, thus-gone, worthy, perfect Buddha—the omniscient, all-seeing teacher who eliminates all doubts—about this point. Once the Blessed One teaches us, we will comprehend it and can then explain it at length and respond to those faithful brahmins and householders.”
Then that large number of monks went to the place where the Blessed One was staying, prostrated themselves at the Blessed One’s feet, sat to one side, and asked the Buddha the following: “Respected One, a large number of us monks just had the following conversation when we gathered in the assembly hall: ‘Faithful brahmins or householders who remember what they are taught and have become increasingly learned may ask us how to practice virtue. There may also be some who delight in producing representations of the Thus-Gone One, who will come before us and inquire, “Respected ones, may we know how much benefit there is for donors when they commission a representation of the Thus-Gone One?” How can we then respond to them in accordance with the Dharma when we do not know how much benefit results from producing a representation of the Thus-Gone One? We should ask the blessed, thus-gone, worthy, perfect Buddha—the omniscient, all-seeing teacher who eliminates all doubts—about this point. Once the Blessed One teaches us, we will comprehend it and can then explain it at length and respond to those faithful brahmins and householders.’ Respected Blessed One, since we have come to you asking about these matters, may we know how much benefit there is for donors when they produce a representation of the Thus-Gone One?”
The Blessed One replied, “Monks, you have asked this to bring benefit to many beings, to bring happiness to many beings and out of compassion for them, and to bring benefit and happiness to gods and humans. You have thought to ask for clarification from the thus-gone, worthy, perfect Buddha. Excellent! Excellent! For that reason, monks, listen to me very carefully, pay attention, and I will teach you.
“Monks, a donor who produces a representation of the Thus-Gone One will enjoy the following five benefits:
“One will live in a great palace, be regarded as fortunate, be free of poverty, and have great joy, longevity, fame, and happiness. Monks, this is the first benefit for a donor who produces representations of the Thus-Gone One.
“One will also have riches, abundant wealth, prosperity, property, and many belongings. One will be self-sufficient and have many cherished possessions such as a great number of livestock, grain, jewels, gold, treasuries, and storerooms; many horses, elephants, oxen, sheep, male and female servants, employees, and laborers; and many ministers, friends, relatives, and kin. Monks, this is the second benefit for a donor who produces representations of the Thus-Gone One.
“Monks, one will also have a beautiful body, a pleasant appearance, elegance, a golden complexion, a head that is round like a parasol, long arms, a broad forehead, unbroken eyebrows, a perfect set of limbs and extremities, and be adorned with all sorts of ornaments. Monks, this is the third benefit for a donor who produces representations of the Thus-Gone One.
“Monks, one will also become a universal emperor who has a fine retinue, the seven royal treasures, and is surrounded by one thousand sons. All of one’s sons, wives, servants, and caretakers will listen respectfully and follow one’s commands. Monks, this is the fourth benefit for a donor who produces representations of the Thus-Gone One.
“Moreover, monks, after passing away, one will take a favorable rebirth among the gods in the heavenly realms. After being born there, one will become an excellent king of the gods who will be venerated by the gods and goddesses. One will enjoy ten states: divine lifespan, divine complexion, divine power, divine happiness, divine lordship, and divine form, sound, smell, taste, and touch. Monks, this is the fifth benefit for a donor who produces representations of the Thus-Gone One.”
When the Blessed One had said this, the monks rejoiced in the Blessed One’s words and praised him.
Thus concludes The Noble Dharma Discourse “Teaching the Benefits of Producing Representations of the Thus-Gone One.”
This work was translated by the Indian preceptor Dharmākara and the translator Bandé Yeshé Nyingpo. It was then revised and finalized by Bandé Paltsek.
In this sūtra, the Buddha Śākyamuni tells a group of monks how they should respond when asked about the karmic benefits accrued by patrons who create representations of the Buddha. He explains five kinds of benefits that such virtuous deeds bring.
This sūtra was translated from the Tibetan and introduced by the Alexander Csoma de Kőrös Translation Group, which is comprised of Krisztina Teleki and Karma Dorje (Rabjampa). Beáta Kakas served as Sanskrit expert and William Dewey served as the English-language editor.
The translation was completed under the patronage and supervision of 84000: Translating the Words of the Buddha.
In Describing the Benefits of Producing Representations of the Thus-Gone One, the Buddha Śākyamuni is residing in Śrāvastī, in Jeta’s Grove, Anāthapiṇḍada’s Park, when a large number of monks gather nearby and begin discussing how one should respond when asked about the karmic benefits accrued by creating representations of the Buddha. They approach the Buddha for guidance, and the Buddha explains the five kinds of benefits that such virtuous deeds bring. First, he elaborates on the excellent life circumstances such as happiness and fame that they will experience. Second, he details the characteristics of physical beauty that they will gain. Third, he lists the kinds of wealth they will accrue. Fourth, he states that the donor will become a universal emperor enjoying all the advantages of that position. Fifth, he explains that the donor will be reborn among the gods and enjoy all divine distinctions. The sūtra then concludes with the monks rejoicing and praising the Buddha.
This English translation is based on the Tibetan version in the Degé Kangyur in consultation with the variant readings recorded in the Comparative Edition (dpe bsdur ma) Kangyur. There is to our knowledge no extant Sanskrit version of this sūtra. The colophon to the Tibetan translation states that it was translated by the Indian preceptor Dharmākara, the translator Bandé Yeshé Nyingpo, and the chief editor Bandé Paltsek. As for the date of the Tibetan translation, the text’s inclusion in the Denkarma and Phangthangma imperial catalogs confirms its provenance in the late eighth or early ninth century.
A Chinese version of this text is also extant with the title Zuofoxingxiang jing 作佛形像. While its translator is unknown and its date is uncertain, it is mentioned in the Dongjin lu 東晉錄 (Record of the Eastern Jin, 317–420
A Mongolian translation of the text is also available in different versions of the Mongolian Buddhist canon, which is based on the Tibetan.
There is, to our knowledge, no previous English translation of the text to date, nor any translation into any other European language.
Homage to the Omniscient One.
Thus did I hear at one time. The Blessed One was residing in Śrāvastī, in Jeta’s Grove, Anāthapiṇḍada’s Park.
At that time a large number of monks had gathered in the assembly hall and started the following conversation: “Faithful brahmins or householders who remember what they are taught and have become increasingly learned may ask you how to practice virtue. There may also be some who delight in producing representations of the Thus-Gone One, who will come before us and inquire, ‘Respected ones, may we know how much benefit there is for donors when they produce a representation of the Thus-Gone One?’ How can we then respond to them in accordance with the Dharma when we do not know how much benefit results from producing a representation of the Thus-Gone One? We should ask the blessed, thus-gone, worthy, perfect Buddha—the omniscient, all-seeing teacher who eliminates all doubts—about this point. Once the Blessed One teaches us, we will comprehend it and can then explain it at length and respond to those faithful brahmins and householders.”
Then that large number of monks went to the place where the Blessed One was staying, prostrated themselves at the Blessed One’s feet, sat to one side, and asked the Buddha the following: “Respected One, a large number of us monks just had the following conversation when we gathered in the assembly hall: ‘Faithful brahmins or householders who remember what they are taught and have become increasingly learned may ask us how to practice virtue. There may also be some who delight in producing representations of the Thus-Gone One, who will come before us and inquire, “Respected ones, may we know how much benefit there is for donors when they commission a representation of the Thus-Gone One?” How can we then respond to them in accordance with the Dharma when we do not know how much benefit results from producing a representation of the Thus-Gone One? We should ask the blessed, thus-gone, worthy, perfect Buddha—the omniscient, all-seeing teacher who eliminates all doubts—about this point. Once the Blessed One teaches us, we will comprehend it and can then explain it at length and respond to those faithful brahmins and householders.’ Respected Blessed One, since we have come to you asking about these matters, may we know how much benefit there is for donors when they produce a representation of the Thus-Gone One?”
The Blessed One replied, “Monks, you have asked this to bring benefit to many beings, to bring happiness to many beings and out of compassion for them, and to bring benefit and happiness to gods and humans. You have thought to ask for clarification from the thus-gone, worthy, perfect Buddha. Excellent! Excellent! For that reason, monks, listen to me very carefully, pay attention, and I will teach you.
“Monks, a donor who produces a representation of the Thus-Gone One will enjoy the following five benefits:
“One will live in a great palace, be regarded as fortunate, be free of poverty, and have great joy, longevity, fame, and happiness. Monks, this is the first benefit for a donor who produces representations of the Thus-Gone One.
“One will also have riches, abundant wealth, prosperity, property, and many belongings. One will be self-sufficient and have many cherished possessions such as a great number of livestock, grain, jewels, gold, treasuries, and storerooms; many horses, elephants, oxen, sheep, male and female servants, employees, and laborers; and many ministers, friends, relatives, and kin. Monks, this is the second benefit for a donor who produces representations of the Thus-Gone One.
“Monks, one will also have a beautiful body, a pleasant appearance, elegance, a golden complexion, a head that is round like a parasol, long arms, a broad forehead, unbroken eyebrows, a perfect set of limbs and extremities, and be adorned with all sorts of ornaments. Monks, this is the third benefit for a donor who produces representations of the Thus-Gone One.
“Monks, one will also become a universal emperor who has a fine retinue, the seven royal treasures, and is surrounded by one thousand sons. All of one’s sons, wives, servants, and caretakers will listen respectfully and follow one’s commands. Monks, this is the fourth benefit for a donor who produces representations of the Thus-Gone One.
“Moreover, monks, after passing away, one will take a favorable rebirth among the gods in the heavenly realms. After being born there, one will become an excellent king of the gods who will be venerated by the gods and goddesses. One will enjoy ten states: divine lifespan, divine complexion, divine power, divine happiness, divine lordship, and divine form, sound, smell, taste, and touch. Monks, this is the fifth benefit for a donor who produces representations of the Thus-Gone One.”
When the Blessed One had said this, the monks rejoiced in the Blessed One’s words and praised him.
Thus concludes The Noble Dharma Discourse “Teaching the Benefits of Producing Representations of the Thus-Gone One.”
This work was translated by the Indian preceptor Dharmākara and the translator Bandé Yeshé Nyingpo. It was then revised and finalized by Bandé Paltsek.