The Aryakarandavyuhanamamahayana Sutra; 101-page manuscript on blue Chinese paper; alternating lines of gold and silver letters on black ground; panels of silk attached to cardboard cover and first sheet; Fide Professor James Bosson, 12-12-67; From the Kanjur, equivalent of the Buddhist bible in Tibet; used by anyone in a religious context, e.g. recitals at rituals in temple or home; commissioned by someone wealthy and of high rank for all raw materials had to be supplied to the monk who made manuscript; ca. 75-100 years old; The Aryakayanvyuha sutra was the first of the sutras to be translaed into Tibetan. It is about mercy and compassion. Sambodha, a learned man of the time (641-650 A.D.) did the translation under king Srontsamgampo. According to devout tradition: at this time just before the spread of Buddhism in Tibet, through the prayers of Avalokiteshwara three things flew to the top of the king’s palace: this sutra (in Lantza script), a stupa, and a statue of Chanadorji. The king, who was blind, had them brought down, thought them wonderful and made offerings to them. Afterwards his sight was restored.
Donor:
Mrs. Ronald Stroud
Collection place:
Tibet
Object type:
ethnography
Function:
7.1 Writing and Records (including religious texts)
Accession date:
1967
Department:
Asia (except western Russia)
Loans:
S1972-1973 #91: Southeast Asian Studies Department (UC Berkeley) (May 1, 1973–May 2, 1973)