Immortality through relics in Tibetan hagiographies: The case of lHa btsun Rin chen rnam rgyal (1473-1557)

This paper analyses immortality through the hagiographies of the Tibetan master lHa btsun Rin chen rNam rgyal (1473-1557). His autobiography with songs (vol. 657/5) recounts the extraordinary bond of Rin chen rNam rgyal with his main master, gTsang smyon Heruka (1452-1507), who continued to teach his heart-son after his death, passing his legacy to him and becoming ‘immortal’ through his teachings, songs, works and relics. Rin chen rNam rgyal’s biography (vol. 657/6) describes instead this master’s funerary rituals, when different kind of relics appeared in the gdung khang and were distributed among people and sacred places to be worn in amulets, placed in temples and shrines, mixed with inks and pigments to be used for statues, paintings or books. In Tibetan culture, amulets—besides protecting people—encapsulate the memory of deceased masters. Equally, ashes and corporal fluids empower and sanctify statues, paintings and books and, by emboding religious masters and their teachings, make them immortal.