digitising skt buddhist texts

8/13/2019 Digitising Skt Buddhist Texts

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Digitization of Sanskrit Buddhist Texts in Nepal

By:

Min Bahadur shakya

epal has the largest repository of Buddhist Sanskrit literaturedealing with different aspects of Mahayana creeds and practices.

The monk scholars as well as Varacharya !andits ha"e contri#uted inproducing and preser"ing Buddhist manuscripts

N

$t was not until the ad"ent of Sir Brian B. %odgson &'()*+'(*) ,D.- aBritish diplomat in Nepal disco"ered a great num#er of SanskritBuddhist manuscripts in Nepal.

The existence of these #efore his time was unknown and his disco"eryentirely re"olutionized the history of Buddhism as /uropeans knew itin the early part of this century.

0opies of these works totaling 1(' #undles of manuscripts ha"e #eendistri#uted so as to render them accessi#le to /uropean scholars.

2f these (3 eighty+six manuscripts comprising '45 separate worksmany were presented to Asiatic Society of Bengal: (6 to the Royal Asiatic Society of London;17 to the Indian Office Library;

4 to the Bodleian Library, Oford;'4* to the Soci!t! Asiati"ue,and to 8rench scholar #ugene Bernouf$

The last two collections ha"e since #een deposited in theBiblioth%"ue &ationale of 'rance$()*

!rof. 9aya De"a Singh writes in his Introduction to MadhyamikaPhilosophy : "Books on Mahayana Buddhism were completely lost in India. Theirtranslation existed in Chinese, Japanese and Tibetan. Mahayanaliterature was written mostly in Sanskrit and mixed Sanskrit. Scholarswho hae made a study o! Buddhism hardly suspected that there werealso books on Buddhism in Sanskrit."




$n a similar manner Suniti ;umar 0hatteri writes: "ne #reat serice the people o! $epal, particularly the hi#hly ciili%ed$ewars o! the $epal &alley, was to presere the manuscript o!Mahayana Buddhist literature in Sanskrit.

It was the contribution o! Sri 'anka to hae presered !or human kindthe entire mass o! the (ali literature o! Theraada Buddhism. This wentalso to Burma, Cambodia, and Siam. It was similarly the #reatachieement o! the people o! $epal to hae presered the e)uallyaluable ori#inal Sanskrit texts o! Mahayana Buddhism."

$t is in Nepal that most of the Sanskrit Buddhist documents ha"e #eenfound. Most of the manuscripts originally preser"ed in Nepal ha"e #eencarried out of the country #y the pioneers of the modern $ndology.

Concerning Sanskrit Buddhist Sutras of Nepal

$t is "ery difficult to ascertain when the Mahayana sutras wereintroduced into the ;athmandu "alley.

<hen the Mahayana sutras were introduced into 0hina #y themissionaries of $ndia and 0entral ,sia it was already regarded as theauthentic word of =ord Buddha. ,s the sutras were translated into0hinese the first of which appeared in 3( ,.D. they profoundlyawakened the 0hinese and then the 9apanese mind stirring theirreligious consciousness to its "ery depth.

Same is the case of the Newar Buddhists who preser"ed these sutrasfrom generation to generation and preser"ed their Mahayanic ideal asthe #asis of their culture. %istorically although the record of scriptures during the ;aniska>speriod is the earliest e"idence of non+Stha"ira"ada tradition thecustom of copying scriptures had existed #efore that time in Northwest$ndia. ?.=. Mitra states: @the disco"ery of the 0hinese translation of original

Buddhist records from Sanskrit dating as early as first century ,.D.clearly pro"es the existence of some original Sanskrit texts long #eforethe date of the !ali translation of Sri =anka@ ,mong the manuscripts disco"ered #y Mr. Brian %odgson in '()* ,.D.in the ;athmandu "alley there were dozens of sets of >Nine Dharmas>or Na"akhanda or collection of Nine sutras .

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These Nine sutras are recited "ery often #y the pious de"otees ofNepal and are maintained as holy texts in the altars of their mind.

The Characteristics of Mahayana sutras

There are generally two types of Mahayana sutras + Vaipulya andSamanya sutras. Vaipulya sutras were meant to #e memorised so the method oftreatment in each sutras is exhausti"e and contain lengthy repetitionsstereotyped phrases and piling of synonyms. $n general the Vaipulyasutras #egin with the introduction of =ord Buddha as seated in 9eta"ana garden or sometimes in Aridhkuta a hill surrounded #y a hostof #hikshus Bodhisatt"as de"as kings laymen and women. TheBuddha sits on deep meditation and a ray of light springs forth from his

forehead illuminating all the worlds and inspires gods to sing praises ofthe Buddha. The gods then come to salute him and pray him to re"ealthe excellent sutra. The Buddha then accepts their prayer #ymaintaining silence. ,lthough the introduction of Mahayana sutras into ;athmandu "alleycannot #e definitely ascertained presuma#ly from the a"aila#lesources some of these Mahayana sutras which had attained greatpopularity in Nepalese Buddhism had appeared as early as *thcentury ,.D. The most important Mahayana texts that mo"ed the religious feelings

of the Nepalese Buddhists for centuries and still continuing to do so aregi"en #elow.

)$ Lalita+istara Sutra

=alita"istara sutra is a #iographical account of =ord Buddha whichenumerates the twel"e principal deeds. The sutra was translated into0hinese four times in ,.D. ))'+31 17( *)7+45 and in 3(1. $ts oldestparts may #e assigned to the third century B.0. and its final redactionwas assigned to the six century ,.D. whereas according to M.

<internitz it was assigned to the second century.

<e also find a Ti#etan translation in Vol 56 mDo+sDe of ;anur folio '+)'3 it is called ,rya =alita"istara nama Mahayana sutram@ Thetranslators were 9inamitra Danashila Muni Varma and e+ses+sDe. Thisti#etan translation was edited and translated into 8rench #y 8oucaux!aris '(*4+*(.

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=alita"istara gi"es us a picture of =ord Buddha as #eing moresuperhuman than human and yet it is far from the conception of the Trikaya Doctrine of Nirmankaya Sam#hogakaya and Dharmakaya. $tsays that =ord Buddha appeared in the samsaric existence for the#enefit of sentient #eings and he #eha"ed as such and followed the

ways of the world. This was his lokanu"artanacarya. ,t one instance=ord Buddha explained to ,nanda that unlike ordinary human #eingshe did not stay in the filth of the mother>s womd #ut in a ewel casket&ratna"yuha-. $n one of the chapters !rince Siddhartha exhi#itedexcellence in all the arts and skills pre"alent in those days to show hiscultured nature. $n the last chapter there are some epithets ascri#ed to=ord Buddha showing his knowledge of Dharmakayanana. 2f course itwas a treatise of the Sar"asti"ada who "iewd Buddha as a human#eing with superhuman attri#utes. $ Saddharmapundarika sutra

This sutra was translated into 0hinese in )66 ,.D. ,ccording to %arDayal the earliest part of the text &chapters $+CC- may #elong to thefirst century B.0. while the supplementary chapters &xxi+xx"i- datefrom the third century ,.D. The answer to such uestions as why =ordBuddha preached two or three religious systems + %inayana Mahayanaor in other words con"entional truths or ultimate truths + is gi"en in thistext #y a para#le of a #urning house. $t is clearly stated that =ordBuddha preached one system not three i.e. Buddhayana and thepresentation of the three yanas was an example of his skill in the

employment of the means. The concept of Triyana Epayakausalya&skill in means- and Mahakaruna is thus explained. $n regard to theconcept of =ord Buddha as a human #eing who is #oth transient andmortal as oursel"es according to Sra"akayana literature =ord Buddhais shown as an eternal principal who has long #efore attainedenlightenment and his great compassion is su#stantiated #y repeatedre#irths and preaching acti"ities. ,gain the place has #een shiftedfrom Bodhgaya to Aridhkuta hill where most of the Mahayana Sutraswere preached.

-$ Su+arnaprabhasa Sutra

The sutra in its original form was translated into 0hinese in ,.D. 154+*15 and again in an expanded "ersion in the se"enth century. $t

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contains the discourses of =ord Buddha deli"ered for the #enefit ofgoddesses like =axmi Saraswati and others. $t also contains aninteresting discussion on the life span of =ord Buddha. , story relatingto the Namo #uddha hill near the ;athmandu "alley is mentionedtherein.

.$ Samadhira/a sutra

This sutra also known as 0handrapradeepa Samadhi sutra wastranslated into 0hinese in *67 ,.D. 0handrakirti uses the nameSamadhiraa while the Ti#etan translators ha"e preser"ed the full titlein Sanskrit "iz: @Sar"adharmas"a#ha"a Samata"ipancita Samadhiraa.@$t seems that 0handrapradeepa sutra in its original form was "ery"oluminous and only a portion of it was preser"ed in what is now calledSamadhiraa. ,ccording to Dr. !. =. Vaidya the earliest 0hinese

translation no longer extant is said to #e dated '*( ,.D. $n this sutra the principal interlocutors are =ord Buddha and0handrapra#ha and the scene is laid on the Aridhkuta hill. The su#ectmatter of this sutra is different types of Samadhi #ased on /uanimitysunyata and Bodhicitta to #e acuired #y a Bodhisatt"a in course of hiscareer.

0$ Lanka+atara Sutra

=anka"atara was translated into 0hinese in ,.D. **1 6'1 477 and47*. $n this an attempt has #een made to explain such terms as Tathagatagar#ha ,laya"inana 0ittamatra Tathata Tris"a#ha"a Twotruths Transformation etc.

1$ 2anda+yuha Sutra$

Aanda"yuha sutra is a part of an encyclopedic sutra called the,"atamsaka sutra. $t contains the story of the uest of Sudhana themerchant>s son to learn the ways of the Bodhisat"a for the attainment

of Buddhahood. Sudhana searched for se"eral #ene"olent friendsthere#y gradually learning from them the ualities of Buddhahood. ,nother profound effect produced #y this sutra is the conception of theBodhisatt"a Samanta#hadra>s ten "ows and the practice of se"enfoldworship in Nepalese Buddhist society. The last section of the workcalled Samanta#hadracarya pranidhan> has #een a fa"ourite theme for

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all seekers of the Bodhisatt"a path. The Bodhisatt"a>s energeticcompassionate attitude is echoed in this "erse : ,s long as the earth exists,s long as all #eings exist

,s long as acts and afflictions existSo long will remain.

3$ 4asabhumika sutra

Dasa#humika sutra was translated into 0hinese in ,.D. )36+1'3. $t isalso regarded as a part of ,"atamsaka sutra. $t contains the tenspiritual spheres or stages called >Bhumi> of Bodhisatt"a "iz : '-

!ramudita )- Vimala 1- !ra#hakari *- ,rcismati 6- suduraya 3-,#himukhi 4- Durangama (- ,cala 5- Sadhumati and '7-Dharmamegha. $t opens with the introduction of =ord Buddha amidstthe gods and Bodhisatt"as in the hea"en of $ndra. %ere theBodhisatt"a Varagar#ha prays to =ord Buddha to explain the ways toattain Buddhahood. =ord Buddha then addressed the assem#ly andexplained the ten stages of the Bodhisatt"a path. , similar description is gi"en for each le"el. <hen he reaches the tenthle"el he mounts upon the summit. This stage is called the path of8ulfillment. %e remo"es two "eils of conflicting emotions

&klesha"arana- and o#struction to 2mniscience &9neya"arana-completely. Thus after attaining the tenth le"el and completing thepath of fulfillment he is ready to attain Buddhahood.

5$ Astasahasrika 6ra/naparamita

There is a large #ody of literature in the name of !ranaparamita. !rof.?huso %ikata gi"es as many )4 works under this title. ,ll of them arenot a"aila#le in the original Sanskrit. Some of them are also known

from Ti#etan and 0hinese translations. They are as follows:'.Satasahasrika ).!amca"imsati Sahasrika 1.,stasahasrika*.Sardhad"i Sahasrika 6.Saptasatika 3.Trisatika 4.,dhyardha Satika(.!ranaparmita %ridaya Sutra 5.;ausikapranaparamita'7.S"alpakshara ''.?atnagunasamcayagatha ').,stadasa sahasrika'1.!ancaparamita Nirdesh '*.!ancasatika '6.De"araapra"ara!ranaparamita '3.Dasasahasrika '4.Nagasri '(.!ranaparamitaNama ,stasataka '5./kaksarimata )7.Suryagar#ha

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)'.0handragar#ha )).Samanta#hadra )1.Varapani )*.Varaketu andfour other texts from 0hinese sources $n "iewing the a#o"e literature it is uite difficult for us to decide whichof these texts is original and whether the texts got enlarged or

a#ridged in course of time to suit the "arying degrees or capacity ofde"otees. The traditional "iew seems to take Satasahasrika as theoriginal whereas in the modern "iew it is ,stasahasrika #ecause mostof the authors from Nagaruna down to %ari#hadra ha"e taken >,sta> asthe #asis for their commentaries. The ,stasahasrika was translated into 0hinese in 365 ,.D. and wasassigned to the first century. The recitation of ,stasahasrika !ranaparamita is a common practiceamong Nepalese Buddhists in the monasteries of !atan and

;athmandu. %iranya"arna Maha"ihara of !atan has a copy of,stasahasrika !ranaparamita written in gold which commands specialworship and ceremony #efore recitation #y the Varacharya e"entoday. 7$ 8athagataguhyaka sutra

Tathagata Auhya sutra also known as Auhyasamaa Tantra is one ofthe earliest #uddhist Tantras containing an exposition of the leadingtopic on Varayana "iz Mandala Nyasa 9apa ,#hiseka Auhya

Samaa Bodhicitta Mudra 9nanacakra !anchamrita etc. $t gi"es aninteresting account of the origin of the mandala of fi"e DhyaniBuddhas "iz. Vairocana ,kshyo#hya ?atna Sam#ha"a ,mita#ha and,moghsiddhi. $t is stated in Auhyasamaa that Buddhahood may #eattained within the shortest possi#le time and e"en in one lifetime ifone practices under a perfect Varayana Auru. The life of the (*siddhas and #iographical accounts of a num#er of Buddhist mastersfrom four Ti#etan sects testify this claim. Auhyasamaa Tantra is composed in Sangiti form and the descriptionof the assem#ly is fairly ela#orate as in the early Sangiti as

Aanda"yuha and manusrimulakalpa. $n later Sangiti literature thedescription of assem#ly is somewhat short and concise. Thus thesetantras also find a place in ;angyur collection as the words of theBuddha. Auhyasamaa was translated into 0hinese in 517+'777 ,.D.

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,ccording to Dr. Benoytosh Bhattacharya this text is pro#a#ly theproduct of the third century or a little latter as ,sanga is presumed to#elong to the 1rd or *th century ,.D. ,ll these sutras deal with many aspects of Mahayana the Areat Vehicle

tradition such as the doctrine of emptiness in !ranaparamitaliteratureF Theory of Tathagatagar#ha and 0ittamatra doctrine in=anka"ataraF innumera#le kinds of samadhi such as exchange of Selfwith others a kind of Bodhicitta practice and "irtues of ;alyanamitra inAanda"yuha and Samadhiraa sutras twel"e principal deeds of =ordBuddha in =alita"istara etc. etc.

,nother profound effect produced #y Aanda"yuha sutra is theconception of Bodhisatt"a Samanta#hadra with his Ten /xhausti"e"ows. $t has a deep effect on Nepalese Buddhist minds.,part from these Nine Vaipulya sutras there are many other Mahayana

sutras.

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Nagaruna $nstitute has initiated the input of other Mahayana Sutras tocollect Mahayana Buddhist canon the list of which is gi"en #elow

Sanskrit Buddhist Sutra Pitaka Input

S$&$ 8itle #ditions Inputby Status Si9e

)$ ,nityata Sutra N$/M 0omplete

14k#

). ,stasahasrika !ranaparamitaSutra

N$/M

1. ,d"ayasatika !ranaparamitaSutra

N$/M 0omplete

*. ,moghpasa hrdaya namaSutra

N$/M 0omplete

56k#

6. ,"alokitanama Mahayanasutra

N$/M 0omplete

3. ,rtha"iniscaya sutra N$/M 0omplete 45.7k#

4. ,dhyardhasatikapranaparamita sutra

N$/M 0omplete

(. Bha"asankranti Sutra N$/M 0omplete

')'k#

5. Bhaisayaguru"aiduryapra#hasutra

N$/M 0omplete

6*k#

'7. Bodhisatt"a !ratimoksa sutra N$/M 0omplete

41k#

''. Dharmasangraha N$/M 0omplete

'5'k#

'). Dasa#humika sutra

'1. Aanda"yuha sutra

'*. ;aranda"yuha sutra N$/M 0omplete

34'k#

'6. ;ausika pranaparamita sutra N$/M 0omplete

13.6k#

'3. Mahapratyangira DharaniSutra

N$/M 0omplete

61.6k#

'4. =anka"atara sutra N$/M 0omplet

e

'.'5

M#'(. =alita"istara Sutra

'5. Madhyamaka salistam#hasutra

N$/M 0omplete

'75k#

)7. Mahakarma"i#hanga sutra N$/M 0omplete

(4k#

)'. Nairatmyapariprchha sutra N$/M 0omplete

)1k#

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)). !ratityasamutpada sutra N$/M 0omplete

13k#

)1. !ratimoksa sutra N$/M 0omplete

)*. !ranaparamita hrdaya sutralarger

N$/M 0omplete

11k#

)6. !ranaparamita hrdaya sutrasmaller

N$/M 0omplete

17.6k#

)3. !ratityasamutpada"i#hanganirdesh sutra

N$/M 0omplete

1*k#

)4. ?atnagunasancaya gatha N$/M 0omplete

6(k#

)(. ?astrapalapariprchha sutra N$/M 0omplete

)5. Su"ikranta"ikramipariprchcha N$/M 0omplete

17. Salistam#ha sutra N$/M 0omplet

e

51.6k#

1'. Sukha"ati"yuha Sutra N$/M 0omplete

*6k#

1). S"alpaksara pranaparamitasutra

N$/M 0omplete

11. Saptasatika pranaparamitasutra

N$/M 0omplete

'76k#

1*. Sukha"ati"yuha Sutra &"istara- N$/M 0omplete

'37k#

16. Su"ikranta"ikramipariprchcha N$/M 0omplete

13. Su"arnapra#hasa sutra N$/M 0omplet

e

435k#

14. Samadhiraa Sutra N$/M 0omplete

'.5(M#

1(. Saddharmapundarika sutra N$/M

15. Triskandhanama Mahayanasutra

N$/M 0omplete

'7.5k#

*7. TathagatagataguhyaGAuhyasamaa

N$/M

*'. Varachhedika !ranaparamitaSutra

N$/M 0omplete

(*k#

*).

*1. Vinaya sutra and itscommentary

N$/M 0omplete

17)k#

&I#&agar/una Institute of #act ethods

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Dharanis:

The Dharanis are the least explored #ranch of Buddhist Sanskritliterature although most of the monks of the northern Buddhist schoolsused them in their daily life. The Dharanis ha"e paramount importance

not only for Nepal Buddhists #ut also for all #elie"ers of MahayanaBuddhism around the world. The recitation of these dharanis is#elie"ed to #ring into great merit and they are worn as amulet to a"erte"ils including thie"es fire and noxious animals to ensure long life. The #hikkhus and people in those days were much prone to these fearsand compassionate Bodhisatt"as wanted means of getting rid of them. The healing effects through recitation of dharanis are dramaticallyamazing not less than scientific treatment of western medicine.. $t is#elie"ed that Buddha had gi"en these teachings on these Dharanisaccording to the reuest of Bodhisatt"as.

8or /xample: ,parimitayur Dharani is a good example for its efficacy inacuiring the longe"ity of life. $t is said that great Madhyamikaphilosopher Nagaruna had #enefited from this Dharani to sa"e himselffrom his early death. These Dharanis were used as an antidote to thesefears.

Dharanis consist of numerous in"ocations to female deities toBuddhas Bodhisatt"as and so forth. $t also often appears as parts ofsutras which relate the circumstances under which they wereproclaimed. The collection of fi"e dharanis &'+6 #elow- entitled!ancaraksa is extremely popular in Nepal to ward off e"ils poisons

e"il spirits disease hostile planets and poisonous insects.

Nagaruna $nstitute alone has a collection of more than 377 titles ofDharanis.%ere are some of them as examples:

'.Mahapratisara "idyarani sutra).Mahasahasrapramardani sutra1.Mahasita"ati sutra*.Mahamayuri sutra6.Mahamantranusarini3.Mahasitatapatra

4.,rya ,moghpasa %rdaya Dharani(.,parimitaryur nana5.Eshnish"iayanama Dharani

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Buddhist Stotras:

$n prosperity or distress the Nepalese people worship and pray to theBuddhas and Bodhisatt"as for protection good health prosperity andfamily welfare and also for li#eration from cyclic existence. The stotras

or hymns throw light on "arious aspects of Buddhist doctrines. The stotras are sung #y sadhakas during their meditation or act ofde"otion. The contents of these strotras are of "aried nature rangingfrom simple act of confession ualities of Buddhas and Bodhisatt"aspraises of deities of #oth mundane and supra+mundane iconographicdata of "arious tantric deities and also explanation of Buddha>steachings themsel"es in the form of "erses.

These stotras can #e sung with melodious music and can imprint thede"otees significantly e"en in this modern world through the

multimedia de"ice.

$n these '75 stotras of input we ha"e included serial num#er titleauthorGsource and num#er of "erses.

Buddhist Strotra Input

Inputs completed at August 1. 2001

S$&$ 8itle Author<source =erses)$ ,cintyasta"a Nagaruna 65

). ,d"ayaparamarthaNamasangiti

Manushri '34

1. ,dhyardha satakam Matriceta

*. ,"adhana stotra ')

6. ,"alokitesh"ara stotra Bhikshunicandrakanta

5

3. ,"alokitesh"arasta"a 0arapatipada )6

4. ,"alokitesh"arasta"a Basukinagaraa 3

(. ,"alokitesh"arastakam 5

5. ,"alokitesh"arasttotarasatanama stotra

'3

'7. ,kashgar#hanamaastottarasata stotra

'3

''. ,di#uddha d"adasaka stotra Manushri '1

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'). ;amalakar sar"atathagatastotra

11

'1. ;arunasta"ah Bandhudatta )6

'*. ;alyanatrimsatika stotra 17

'6. ;alyanapanca"imsati stotra SV! )6

'3. Aanesh stotra '*

'4. Aandista"ah ,ryade"a 1*

'(. Aururatnatraya stotra 4

'5. Auhyes"ari stotram SV! 4

)7. 0akrasam"arastuti '()'. 0andikadandaka stotra 5

)). 0atusastisam"ara stotra 46

)1. 0aitya"andana stotra 6

)*. Taranamaskaraika"imsati Buddha Vairocana )4

)6. Tarastottarasatanama Buddha Shakyamuni 66

)3. Tarastuti ,ryacandradasa '7

)4. Tarashradhara stotra ,caryasar"anamitra 14

)(. Dasa#humish"aronamaMahayana sutraratnaraastotra

6*

)5. Dharmadhatunamasta"a 4

17. Dharmadhatu"agish"aramandala stotra

*6

1'. Narakoddhara stotra '6

1). Niraupamya sta"ah Nagaruna )6

11. Nairatmastaka stotra (

1*. !ancatathagata stutigatha HH 6

16. !ancatathagatastotra 6

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13. !ancaraksa stotrani )6

14. !ancaksara stotram 3

1(. !armarthasta"ah Nagaruna ''

15. !ithasta"ah 34

*7. !otalakastakam (

*'. !ranaparamita stuti 6

*). !ranaparamita stotram Satasahasrika!ranaparamita

)'

*1. !ratisara stotra B;,"adana '6

**. Buddhagandista"ah ,sh"aghosa 1)*6. Buddha#hattaraka strotra Brahma '5

*3. Buddha stotra Bodhisatt"asamuccayakulade"ata

''

*4. BhadracaryapranidhanH Samanta#hadra 3)

*(. Mangal sodasastuti B;, '3

*5. Mangalastakam (

67. Manu"ara stotra SV!+Manugar#ha 5

6'. Manushrinamasttotarasatakastotra

'5

6). Manushristotra 5

61. Madhyamakasastra stuti ,caryacandrakirti '*

6*. Mahakala stotra '1

66. Mahacakra"artinamastotarasa

tastotra

)7

63. Mahapratisara stotra 15

64. Maha#odhi#hattaraka stotra (

6(. Maha#odhi"andaastakam (

65. Maha ugra tara astakam ''

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stotra37. Maha ugratarastuti '6

3'. Mara"iaya stotra ')

3). ?aksakalasta"ah '6

31. ?atnamala stotra Vanaratna )6

3*. ?upasta"ah Narendrade"a )*

36. =okanath stotra 4

33. =okatita sta"ah Nagaruna )(

34. =okesh"ara sataka Varadatta acarya '7'

3(. =okesh"ara stotra ''35. Varade"i stotra Nagaruna )7

47. Varapaninamastottarasatakstotra

)'

4'. Varamahakala stotra 5

4). Varayoginipranameka"imsika

)'

41. Varayoginya pindartha stuti Virupa '3

4*. Varayoginya stuti pranidhan Virupa ))

46. Vara"ilasini sadhanasta"ah 4

43. Vara"ilasini stotra Vi#huticandrapada ))

44. Varasatt"a stuti 6

4(. Varasatt"a stotra (

45. Vasantatilaka stuti *

(7. Vasudharanama dharanistotram

Buddha Shakyamuni )*

('. Vasudhara stotra Vasudharakalpa text *

(). Vagish"ara"arnana stotra 3

(1. Vag"ani stotra Vrhaspati

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(*. Vidyaksara stotra 4

(6. Sakyasimha stotra Brahma 5

(3. Sakyasimha stotra Vishnu ''

(4. Sakyasimha stotra Shi"a 4

((. Sakyasimha stotra $ndra 5

(5. Sakyasimha stotra Na"agraha '7

57. Sakyasimha stotra Durgatiparisodhanatext

'*

5'. Sakyasimha stotra 0handomrta text 5

5). Sakyasimha stotra asodhara '(

51. Sharadastaka stotra (

5*. Sattrimsat sam"ara stuti 14

56. Satparamita stuti 3

53. Sad#hina stotram 4

54. Sadgati stotram 3

5(. Satt"a aradhana gatha Nagaruna ''

55. Saptaina sta"ah 5

'77.Sapta#uddha stotra 5'7'.Sapta"idhanuttara stotra ')'7).Saptaksara stotra ('71.Supra#hat stotra %arsade"a )*'7*.Sragdharapancaka stotra 6'76.S"ayam#hu sta"ah 8our %ea"enly kings 4'73.S"ayam#hu stotram SV!+" 3'74.%arati stotra 5'7(.Bhaktisatakam ?amcandra#harati '74'75.,stamatrika stotra ''

Caryagita

0aryagita is the song or hymn used to sing in Tantric Buddhistceremonies. Most of the authors of those songs or dohas were theMahasiddhas of $ndia and Nepal. Mahasiddha Sarahpada>s Dohakosha

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'6.;apisa"adana'3.;athina"adana'4.Maha"astu a"adana'(.!retakalpa a"adana'5.?atnamala"adana

)7.Sugata"adana)'.Vasistha"adana)).Vrhat 9atakamala)1.Vasudhara"rata a"adana

These a"adanas are scattered o"er "arious Buddhist texts such as"inaya "astu dirghagama madhyagama samyuktagama andsometimes in "arious mahayana sutras to.

$n Nepal it is #elie"ed that the total num#er of a"adanas which dealswith the pre"ious li"es of the Buddha Sakyamuni and other disciples

runs to one thousand,mong the "ast literature of a"adanas only a fraction has appeared inprint.<ith reference to the origin and the sources of these a"adanas theycan #e classified in three ways. The first category is in the sutras or in the "inaya texts.8or example:the story of %ungry tigress is found in Su"arna pra#hasa sutra.theDi"ya"adana #elongs to this category

The second category is represented #y ,padana and 9ataka stories of!ali canon.

The third category is represented #y all later collections of a"adanas orsingle a"adana such as ashoka"adana and so forth.

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Tantric Buddhist Texts

Introduction:

$t is well known among Buddhist Scholars that Nepalese collection in

National ,rchi"es ;eshar =i#rary and other personal collection inNepal possess "ast Buddhist tantric literature., catalogue of TantricBuddhist manuscript collections in the National archi"e and ;esharli#rary was pu#lished #y Mr. Mitutoshi Moriguchi Tokyo Sanki#ouBussorin'5(5. &3'3 titles- together with illustrations. Besides thereare other catalogues pu#lished #y Mr. %idono#u Takaoka from thepri"ate collections too.

0oncerning these Tantric Buddhist literature the pu#lication from0entral $nstitute of %igher Ti#etan Studies Sarnath $ndia iscommenda#le one.

0$%TS has already pu#lished the following rare Tantric Buddhist Texts'.%e"ara Tantra).,#hisamayamanari #y Shu#hakar Aupta1.=aghukalacakratantra*.Vimalapra#ha6.Auhyadi astasiddhi sangraha3. Vasantatilaka rahasyadipika"yakhya sahitam4. ;rishnayamari tantram with ?atna"ali panika(.Mahamaya tantram with Auna"atitika5.Dakinialarahasyam #y ,nangayogi

'7. 9nanodaya tantram''.0aryamelapakapradipam #y ,ryade"a'). Tatt"a nanasansiddhi and so forth

,s a sample of these tantric texts we ha"e input the texts of&ispannayoga+ali and sadhanamala f or the time #eing.

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Nepalese Sanskrit Buddhist Texts

Introduction:

There are se"eral indigenous Sanskrit Buddhist texts in Nepal.,fter the

in"asion of Samsuddin $lyas in '1 th century newar Buddhists seemedto ha"e created new indigenous texts such as S"ayam#hu !uranaBhadrakalpa"adana ekadasi anma katha and so forth.

>e ha+e gi+en here the small account of S+ayambhu purana

The Sayambh* (ur+na is one of the oldest texts of Newar Buddhism.,s the title suggests its main purpose is to glorify the sacred Buddhistshrines of the ;athmandu Valley and the S"ayam#hK MahLcaitya inparticular.

$t seems that the Sayambh* (ur+na &hereafter S(- was created #yNewar Buddhists in order to integrate the teachings of the MahLyLnawith the older aadana stories. The text has #een handed down to usmostly in Sanskrit and partly in Newari "ersions. Most of the Newarimanuscripts contain the ten chapter "ersion of the story.

, study of the sources of the S( and the way in which they areadapted shows the sophistication of Newar Buddhist Sanskrit writingsduring the '*th and '6th centuries. $n the aftermath of the collapse of

$ndian Buddhism Newar Buddhists had to adapt and localize the greattradition which was now #ereft of its pilgrimage sites its greatuni"ersities its oceanic trade routes and its political patronage.I<henBuddhism lost most of its material foundation in $ndia the "alley ofNepal #ecame a safe ha"en for the continued practice of Sanskrit+#ased Buddhism.

$t is now accepted that a num#er of Newar Buddhist texts such as theS( un-+karandayuha &rihat Jatakamala and so onI)J were writtento consolidate the "anishing tradition.

The S( gi"es the origin myth of the ;athmandu Valley and its

self+existing di"ine light &sayambh* yotir*pa-. The ;athmandu Valleyis said to ha"e #een a sacred place for practicing Buddhism from the"ery #eginning long #efore the appearance of the historical BuddhaLkyamuni. ,fter the light of S"ayam#hK appeared it #ecame thecenter of Newar Buddhist de"otions. The earliest "ersion of theS"ayam#hK myth focuses only on the importance of this di"ine light#ut later "ersions gi"e prominence to DharmadhLtu VLgO"ara&MaPuOr-.

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The shortest "ersion of the S( containing )(7 "erses #eginslike a typical buddhaacana SKtra &/am maya srutamQ-.

The tradition of this Sayambh* (ur+na was handed down fromBuddha Lkyamuni to Maitreya and continued as follows: MaitreyaR

Bhikshu EpaguptaR ;ing ,OokaR Bhikshu 9ayaOrR 9inaOr ?aBodhisatt"a.

ii$ =ersions, sur"ey of the Sayambh* (ur+na literature carried out #y %orstBrinkhaus re"eals that there are as many as four different recensionsof this text. The shortest recension with eight paricchedas has two"ersions one in prose and one in "erse. Their contents are howe"ersimilar in nature. $n his article Textual history of the S"ayam#hK!urLna %orst Brinkhaus classiUes them as follows:

0ecension I &eight paricchedas-Version $., Sanskrit Version in prose*'7 Olokasosrn#a paratasayambh*caitya bhattarakoddesaVersion $.B Sanskrit "ersion in "erse)(7 "ersesSayambh*caityabhattarakoddesa 0escension II &eight adhyayas-Version $$., Sanskrit "ersion in "erse*'77 "ersesosrn#a paratasayambh*caitya bhattarakoddesaVersion $$ B Sanskrit "ersion in "erse*377 "ersesosrn#a parata

sayambh*caityabhattaroddesa or &rhat sayambh* pur+na 0ecension III &ten adhyayas-Version $$$.,Sanskrit "ersion in "erse'467 "ersesSayambh*caityasamutpattikath+Version $$$ BNewari "ersion in proseSayambh* utpattikath+ 0escension I& &twel"e adhyayas- Sanskrit recension partly in "erse partly in prose1377 slokasSayambh*a Mah+pur+na

<e also Und another Sanskrit "ersion in 61(7 "ersesIapparentlyo"erlooked in %orst Brinkhaus sur"ey which would #e the largestrecension. $t has '' chapters in two separate sections. The content ofthis "ersion is gi"en in the appendix.

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, catalogue of Sanskrit Buddhist Manuscripts collection pu#lished inNepal

A ?atalogue of Sanskrit Buddhist anuscripts

'. =amsal De"i !rasad &ed.- Bouddha Suchipatra Vol. $V;athmandu: Nepal National =i#rary )7)*.). =amsal De"i !rasad &ed.- Suchipatram Vol.' !t.' ;athmandu:

Nepal National =i#rary )7)'.1. Suchipatram Vol. ' !t. ' ;athmandu: Nepal National =i#rary

)7)5*. Suchipatram1 Jyotish &ishaya Vol$$ !t.' ;athmandu: Nepal

National =i#rary )7)'.6. Varacharya !urna ?atna &ed.- Brihat Suchi (atra ;athmandu:

Bir =i#rary )7)13. Varacharya !urna ?atna Brihat Suchipatram Vol. $$$ !t. $$

;athmandu: Bir !ustakalaya )7)'.4. Varacharya !urna &ed.- Brihat Suchipatram Vol. V$$ !ts. $ $$ $$$;athmandu: Bir =i#rary )7)'+)1

(. ;amsakar !rem Bahadur 2 Catalo#ue o! $ewari Manuscripts in(ersonal Collection &unpu#lished type written-. ;athmandu'54(.

5. No"ak 0harles M. Catalo#ue o! Selected Buddhist Manuscriptsin 2sa Saphukuthi ;athmandu: ,sa Saphu ;uthi '5(3.

'7. Shakya ?aa 2sa Saphu 3uthiya Saphudhala 42 shortCattalo#ue o! 2sa 2rchies5 ;athmandu: ,sa Saphu ;uthi Authi)777

?atalogue of Sanskrit anuscripts published in foreigncountries

'. 2 Tentatie 'ist o! MSS. in the (ossession o! 3eshar'ibrary ;athmandu: ;eshar =i#rary &Enpu#lsihed-.

). Bendall 0ecil Catalo#ue o! the Buddhist SanskritManuscripts in the 6niersity 'ibrary1 Cambrid#e 0am#ridge The Eni"ersity !ress '((1.

1. Bendall 0ecil Catalo#ue o! Sanskrit MSS in the

6niersity 'ibrary 0am#ridge: Eni"ersity !ress '57).*. Bhattacharya Benoytosh 2n 2lphabetical 'ist o!Manuscripts in the riental Institute Baroda &ol II, aekwadriental Series C7I& Baroda

6. Dutta Nalinaksha il#it Manuscripts Vol. ' Delhi:'5(*.

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3. Aoshima ;. and ;. Noguchi &ed.- 2 Succinct Catalo#ueo! the Sanskrit Manuscripts in the (ossession o! the 8aculty o!'etters1 3yoto 6niersity, ;yoto: '5(1.

4. %idero#u Takaoka &ed.- 2 Micro!ilm Catalo#ue o! theBuddhist Manuscripts in $epal Nagoya: The Buddhist =i#rary

'5(' !.V.(. India o!!ice 'ibrary and 0ecords9 0eport !or the :ear;<=> =ondon: 8oreign and 0ommon <ealth 2ffice '54(.

5. Matsunami Seiren &comp- Catalo#ue o! the SanskritMSS in the Tokyo 6niersity 'ibrary Tokyp: Suzuku ?esearch8oundatiion '5(3.

'7. Mitutoshi Moriguchi 2 Catalo#ue o! the BuddhistTantric MSS. in the $ational 20chies o! $epal and 3eshar'ibrary Tokyo: Sanki#ou Busshorin '5(5

''. Shastri %ara !rasad 2 Catalo#ue o! (alm1'ea! andSelected paper MSS Belon#in# to the ?urbar 'ibrary o! $epal

Vol. ' 0alcutta: '576.'). Shastri %ara !rasad 2 Catalo#ue o! (alm1lea! andSelected (aper Mss Belon#in# to the ?urbar 'ibrary1 $epal Vol.$$ 0alcutta: Baptist Mission !ress '5'6

'1. Shastri %ara !rasad 2 ?escriptie Catalo#ue o! SanskritMss. in the oernment Collection 6nder the Care o! 2siaticSociety o! Ben#al Vol. ' 0alcutta '544.

'*. Sigfried =ienhard and Thakur =al Manandhar $epaleseManuscripts !t. ' &Newari and Sanskrit- Stuttgart 8ranz SteinerVerlag <ies#aden AMB% '5((.

'6. Theodorr ,ufrecht &ed- 2 Catalo#ue o! o! Sanskrit

MSS in the 'ibrary o! Trinity Colle#e 0am#ridge: Deighton Belland 0o. '(35.'3. <ilson %orace %ymen (ro!essor @ilksonAs Sanskrit

MSS $ow ?eposited in the Bodleian 'ibrary 2xford '5').'4. <internitz Moriz and ,rthur Berriedale ;eith &ed.-

Catalo#ue o! Sanskrit Manuscripts in the Bodleian 'ibrary Vol. $$2xfore The 0la"endon !ress '576.

18. utaka $mamoto @0atalogue of the Buddhist SanskritManuscripts in the =i#rary of Tokai Eni"ersity@ (receedin#s o!the 8aculty o! 'etters Vol. ) Tokyo: Tokai Eni"ersity '560.

digitising skt buddhist texts

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