The Rāmāyaṇa is one of the great Hindu epics, while Tibetan literature is almost entirely Buddhist. This Tibetan version of the Rāmāyaṇa differs from the Indian versions in many ways. In this ninth or tenth-century text two episodes revolve around the exchange of letters. Letter-writing was not part of ancient or medieval Indian culture, suggesting this version originates from outside the Indian cultural area. The other major difference is the happy ending. In the full Indian versions, Rāma and Sītā are estranged due to Rāma’s suspicion of Sītā’s infidelity. In this version Rāma apologizes to Sītā and they are reconciled.
Ink on paper
The British Library,
IOL Tib J 737.1 (Ch.80.IX.3)