________________
BAUDDHA TRACTS FROM NEPAL.
31
of snow was obtained. The first NARENDRADEO appears to have lived in the 7th, the second in the 12th century. The first would answer well enough for the introduction of the Páśupata creed, which might have been popular in India about that time, and the latter date is that about which the Tántrika ritual seems to have obtained currency. It is not unlikely that the expressions in the Panchavinšati refer to one or other of these events, although, as usual, in all such appropriations of legendary history, the circumstances are adapted to the peculiar notions of those by whom they are borrowed. According to local traditions, the invitation of Padmapáni occurred in the fifth century, or 1381 years ago *.
ASHTAMÍ VRATA VIDHANA. This tract is of much greater extent, than either of the preceding, but is of less value for the illustration of ideas originally Bauddha. It belongs to that faith, but is suill more copiously interspersed with notions from a foreign source than even the preceding, being, in fact, a ritual of the Tántrika practices of persons professing the religion of Buddha. A few observations and extracts will be sufficient to give an idea of its character, and of the observances it enjoins.
The eighth lunar day of every half month is a day
* [See Köppen, "Religion des Buddha", II, 21-32.]
