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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