Sanskrit Manuscripts : Aparimitāyurdhāraṇīsūtra

Unknown

Sanskrit Manuscripts

<p style='text-align: justify;'> An incomplete paper manuscript of the <i>Aparimitāyurdhāraṇīsūtra</i>, a popular text containig the spell of Aparimitāyus. It is taught by the Buddha to Mañjuśrī in Śrāvastī. Those who recite, copy or worship this text are granted longevity and will be reborn in Aparimitāyus’ buddha-field. According to the colophon, this manuscript was written in 1632 CE in Kathmandu, for Sikhamu Bāhā, i.e. Tarumūla Mahāvihāra (<i>śiṃkkamaguḍi</i> in the colophon, cf. Locke 1985: 258 ff.) is mentioned as the place of residence of a certain Mañjuvajra, who probably was the scribe (or the person who commissioned the manuscript?); however, the donor was probably a Vajrācārya from another monastery, since in the donation formula he is said to belong to a Hemavarṇamahāvihāra in the Yambu district of Kathmandu (on which cf. Locke 1985: 254 ff.) This manuscript is not included in Bendall's catalogue, although the manuscript preceding it in the classmark series is (<a target='_blank' class='externalLink' href='http://cudl.lib.cam.ac.uk/view/MS-ADD-01581/1'>Add.1581</a>, see Bendall 1883: 129).</p>