This book cover with the title text and preface of a sutra is edged with silk brocade. There are two miniatures (tsagli) next to the text. Book covers of this type were only used for very special writings, such as tantric ritual texts or biographies. They were written, as here, on black-grounded, handmade paper with golden, handwritten letters. Tibetan religious writings are regarded as an embodiment of wisdom. Those who cannot read can "absorb" this wisdom through various other actions. For example, by turning prayer wheels in which texts are rolled up, which are regarded as "as if spoken" with each turn. Even by simply touching a book with the forehead or crawling under a bookshelf, the believer receives the blessing of the knowledge of the books. Scriptures and language The most important scriptures in Tibetan Buddhism are the Kanjur (the teachings of the Buddha) in 108 volumes and the Tanjur (writings of scholars) in 224 volumes. They were handwritten and, from the 14th century onwards, also block-printed. Tibetan is one of the Tibeto-Burmese languages. Based on an old Indian script, a senior minister, Thönmi Sambhota, developed the Tibetan alphabet with 30 consonants and five vowels around 632 AD. SM8HF