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Buddhist Scriptures in 17th Century Mongolia: Eight Translations of the Aṣṭasāhasrikā Prajñāpāramitā

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Abstract

The article suggests an approach to studying Mongolian translations of Buddhist texts in the seventeenth century based on a hypothesis that emerged as a result of a comparative study of eight different Mongolian translations of the Aṣṭasāhasrikā Prajñāpāramitā sūtra. The comparative analysis was carried out in the light of canon studies, with a special regard to the way Buddhist sacred scriptures (in particular, texts from the bKa’ ‘gyur) were handled in seventeenth century Mongolia. The evolution of the manifestations of canonicity in Mongolian Buddhist text culture is described as a shift in attitude towards Tibetan source texts.

Abbreviations

IOM RAS: Institute of Oriental Manuscripts, Russian Academy of Sciences, St. Petersburg

Text sources (Tibetan and Mongolian Manuscript and Blockptint Editions of the Aṣṭasāhasrikā)

sDe dge

Brgyad stong bzhugs so. Xyl., TBRC <http://tbrc.org/#!rid=W30532>; (last accessed 26.10.2014), sDe dge par phud bKa’ ‘gyur vol. 33, 286 ff.

ADMs

Naiman mingγan silüg-tü kemekü jaddamba bolui. Ms., Museum of Ts. Damdinsuren, Ulan-Bator, XT-7, 286 ff. Aṣṭasāhasrikā transl. by Aryadeva

A-Kangxi

Qutuγ-tu bilig-ün сinadu kürügsen naiman mingγ-a-tu. Xyl., reprinted in Lokesh Chandra (Ed.), Mongolian Kanjur, vol. 46 (New Delhi: International Academy of Indian Culture, 1977), Aṣṭasāhasrikā, anonymous transl.

JPMs

Qutuγ-tu bilig-ün сinadu kürügsen naiman mingγa-tu. Ms., IOM RAS, Q1, 388 ff. Aṣṭasāhasrikā transl. by Jay-a Paṇḍita

PDLMs

Qutuγ-tu bilig-ün сinadu kijaγar-a kürügsen naiman mingγan. Ms., IOM RAS, Q223, 237 ff. Aṣṭasāhasrikā transl. by Paṇḍita Darqan Bla ma

SSMs

Qutuγ-tu bilig-ün сinadu kijaγar-a kürügsen naiman mingγ-a-tu. Ms., Saint-Petersburg University, Mongolian bKa’ ‘gyur vol. 45, 83 ff. Aṣṭasāhasrikā transl. by bSam gtan Sengge

TTMsVol1

Qutuγ-tu bilig-ün сinadu kijaγar-a kürügsen naiman mingγan. Ms., Royal Library, Copenhagen, MONG. 481, 158 ff. Aṣṭasāhasrikā transl. by Diduγba dKa’ bcu Bla ma, Durqar Omboo Sñagbo Baγsi, Brasi Baγsi

TTMsVol2

Qutuγ-tu sayitur medekü-yin сinadu kijaγar-a kürügsen naiman mingγan. Ms., Royal Library, Copenhagen, MONG. 482., 159 ff. Aṣṭasāhasrikā transl. by Diduγba dKa’ bcu bla ma, Durqar Omboo Sñagbo Baγsi, Brasi Baγsi

AGMs

‘Phags pa shes rab kyi pha rol tu phyin pa brgyad stong pa bzhugs so. Qutuγ-tu bilig-ün сinadu kijaγar-a kürügsen naiman mingγan neretü. Ms., private collection, 209(?) ff. Aṣṭasāhasrikā transl. by Altan Gerel Ubasi

TPMs

[Title not available] Ms., photocopy of a fragment of a manuscript from a private collection, ff. 1–3, 314–318. Aṣṭasāhasrikā transl. by Thar pa Paṇḍita

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Published Online: 2015-8-29
Published in Print: 2015-9-18

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