Sanskrit Sutras List PDF Buddhist Texts Mahayana
Sanskrit Sutras List PDF Buddhist Texts Mahayana
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epal has the largest repository of Buddhist Sanskrit literature dealing with different
Naspects of Mahayana creeds and practices. The monk scholars as well as Vajracharya
Pandits have contributed in producing and preserving Buddhist manuscripts
It was not until the advent of Sir Brian B. Hodgson (1824-1842 AD.) a British diplomat
in Nepal, discovered a great number of Sanskrit Buddhist manuscripts in Nepal.
The existence of these before his time was unknown, and his discovery entirely
revolutionized the history of Buddhism, as Europeans knew it in the early part of this
century.
Copies of these works, totaling 381 bundles of manuscripts have been distributed so as to
render them accessible to European scholars.
Of these 86 eighty-six manuscripts comprising 179 separate works, many were presented
to Asiatic Society of Bengal:
85 to the Royal Asiatic Society of London;
30 to the Indian Office Library;
7 to the Bodleian Library, Oxford;
174 to the Société Asiatique,
and to French scholar Eugene Bernouf.
The last two collections have since been deposited in the Bibliothèque Nationale of
France.[1]
In a similar manner Suniti Kumar Chatterji writes: "One great service the people of Nepal,
particularly the highly civilized Newars of the Nepal Valley, was to preserve the
manuscript of Mahayana Buddhist literature in Sanskrit.It was the contribution of Sri
Lanka to have preserved for human kind the entire mass of the Pali literature of
Theravada Buddhism. This went also to Burma, Cambodia, and Siam. It was similarly the
great achievement of the people of Nepal to have preserved the equally valuable original
Sanskrit texts of Mahayana Buddhism."
It is in Nepal that most of the Sanskrit Buddhist documents have been found. Most of the
manuscripts originally preserved in Nepal have been carried out of the country by the
pioneers of the modern Indology.
It is very difficult to ascertain when the Mahayana sutras were introduced into the
Kathmandu valley.
When the Mahayana sutras were introduced into China by the missionaries of India and
Central Asia it was already regarded as the authentic word of Lord Buddha. As the sutras
were translated into Chinese, the first of which appeared in 68 A.D., they profoundly
awakened the Chinese and then the Japanese mind, stirring their religious consciousness
to its very depth.
Same is the case of the Newar Buddhists who preserved these sutras from generation to
generation and preserved their Mahayanic ideal as the basis of their culture.
Historically, although the record of scriptures during the Kaniska's period is the earliest
evidence of non-Sthaviravada tradition, the custom of copying scriptures had existed
before that time in Northwest India.
R.L. Mitra states: "the discovery of the Chinese translation of original Buddhist records
from Sanskrit dating as early as first century A.D. clearly proves the existence of some
original Sanskrit texts long before the date of the Pali translation of Sri Lanka"
Among the manuscripts discovered by Mr. Brian Hodgson in 1824 A.D. in the
Kathmandu valley there were dozens of sets of 'Nine Dharmas' or Navakhanda or
collection of Nine sutras .
These Nine sutras are recited very often by the pious devotees of Nepal and are
maintained as holy texts in the altars of their mind.
There are generally two types of Mahayana sutras - Vaipulya and Samanya sutras.
Vaipulya sutras were meant to be memorised, so the method of treatment in each sutras is
exhaustive and contain lengthy repetitions, stereotyped phrases and piling of synonyms.
In general, the Vaipulya sutras begin with the introduction of Lord Buddha as seated in
Jetavana garden or sometimes in Gridhkuta a hill surrounded by a host of bhikshus,
Bodhisattvas, devas, kings, laymen and women. The Buddha sits on deep meditation and
a ray of light springs forth from his forehead illuminating all the worlds and inspires gods
to sing praises of the Buddha. The gods then come to salute him and pray him to reveal
the excellent sutra. The Buddha then accepts their prayer by maintaining silence.
(2)
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sutras, which had attained great popularity in Nepalese Buddhism, had appeared as early
as 4th century A.D.
The most important Mahayana texts that moved the religious feelings of the Nepalese
Buddhists for centuries and still continuing to do so are given below.
1. Lalitavistara Sutra
Lalitavistara sutra is a biographical account of Lord Buddha which enumerates the twelve
principal deeds. The sutra was translated into Chinese four times in A.D. 221-63, 308,
420-79 and in 683. Its oldest parts may be assigned to the third century B.C. and its final
redaction was assigned to the six century A.D. whereas, according to M. Winternitz, it
was assigned to the second century.
We also find a Tibetan translation in Vol 95, mDo-sDe of Kanjur, folio 1-216, it is called
Arya Lalitavistara nama Mahayana sutram" The translators were Jinamitra, Danashila,
Muni Varma and Ye-ses-sDe. This tibetan translation was edited and translated into
French by Foucaux, Paris 1847-48.
Lalitavistara gives us a picture of Lord Buddha as being more superhuman than human
and yet it is far from the conception of the Trikaya Doctrine of Nirmankaya,
Sambhogakaya and Dharmakaya. It says that Lord Buddha appeared in the samsaric
existence for the benefit of sentient beings and he behaved as such and followed the ways
of the world. This was his lokanuvartanacarya. At one instance Lord Buddha explained to
Ananda that unlike ordinary human beings he did not stay in the filth of the mother's
womd but in a jewel casket (ratnavyuha). In one of the chapters Prince Siddhartha
exhibited excellence in all the arts and skills prevalent in those days to show his cultured
nature. In the last chapter there are some epithets ascribed to Lord Buddha showing his
knowledge of Dharmakayajnana. Of course it was a treatise of the Sarvastivada who
viewd Buddha as a human being with superhuman attributes.
2. Saddharmapundarika sutra
This sutra was translated into Chinese in 255 A.D. According to Har Dayal, the earliest
part of the text (chapters I-XX) may belong to the first century B.C., while the
supplementary chapters (xxi-xxvi) date from the third century, A.D. The answer to such
questions as why Lord Buddha preached two or three religious systems - Hinayana,
Mahayana or in other words conventional truths or ultimate truths - is given in this text
by a parable of a burning house. It is clearly stated that Lord Buddha preached one
system, not three i.e. Buddhayana, and the presentation of the three yanas was an
example of his skill in the employment of the means. The concept of Triyana,
Upayakausalya (skill in means) and Mahakaruna is thus explained. In regard to the
concept of Lord Buddha as a human being who is both transient and mortal as ourselves
according to Sravakayana literature, Lord Buddha is shown as an eternal principal who
has long before attained enlightenment and his great compassion is substantiated by
repeated rebirths and preaching activities. Again the place has been shifted from
Bodhgaya to Gridhkuta hill where most of the Mahayana Sutras were preached.
(3)
3. Suvarnaprabhasa Sutra
The sutra in its original form was translated into Chinese in A.D. 397-439, and again in
an expanded version in the seventh century. It contains the discourses of Lord Buddha
delivered for the benefit of goddesses like Laxmi, Saraswati and others. It also contains
an interesting discussion on the life span of Lord Buddha. A story relating to the Namo
buddha hill near the Kathmandu valley is mentioned therein.
4. Samadhiraja sutra
This sutra, also known as Chandrapradeepa Samadhi sutra, was translated into Chinese in
450 A.D. Chandrakirti uses the name Samadhiraja while the Tibetan translators have
preserved the full title in Sanskrit viz: "Sarvadharmasvabhava Samatavipancita
Samadhiraja." It seems that Chandrapradeepa sutra, in its original form, was very
voluminous and only a portion of it was preserved in what is now called Samadhiraja.
According to Dr. P. L. Vaidya, the earliest Chinese translation, no longer extant, is said to
be dated 148 A.D.
In this sutra the principal interlocutors are Lord Buddha and Chandraprabha and the
scene is laid on the Gridhkuta hill. The subject matter of this sutra is different types of
Samadhi based on Equanimity, sunyata and Bodhicitta to be acquired by a Bodhisattva in
course of his career.
5. Lankavatara Sutra
Lankavatara was translated into Chinese in A.D. 443, 513, 700 and 704. In this an
attempt has been made to explain such terms as Tathagatagarbha, Alayavijnana,
Cittamatra, Tathata, Trisvabhava, Two truths, Transformation etc.
6. Gandavyuha Sutra.
Another profound effect produced by this sutra is the conception of the Bodhisattva
Samantabhadra's ten vows and the practice of sevenfold worship in Nepalese Buddhist
society. The last section of the work called Samantabhadracarya pranidhan' has been a
favourite theme for all seekers of the Bodhisattva path. The Bodhisattva's energetic
compassionate attitude is echoed in this verse :
(4)
7. Dasabhumika sutra
Dasabhumika sutra was translated into Chinese in A.D. 265-316. It is also regarded as a
part of Avatamsaka sutra. It contains the ten spiritual spheres or stages called 'Bhumi' of
Bodhisattva viz : 1) Pramudita 2) Vimala 3) Prabhakari 4) Arcismati 5) sudurjaya 6)
Abhimukhi 7) Durangama 8) Acala 9) Sadhumati and 10) Dharmamegha. It opens with
the introduction of Lord Buddha amidst the gods and Bodhisattvas in the heaven of Indra.
Here the Bodhisattva Vajragarbha prays to Lord Buddha to explain the ways to attain
Buddhahood. Lord Buddha then addressed the assembly and explained the ten stages of
the Bodhisattva path.
A similar description is given for each level. When he reaches the tenth level he mounts
upon the summit. This stage is called the path of Fulfillment. He removes two veils of
conflicting emotions (kleshavarana) and obstruction to Omniscience (Jneyavarana)
completely. Thus, after attaining the tenth level and completing the path of fulfillment he
is ready to attain Buddhahood.
8. Astasahasrika Prajnaparamita
There is a large body of literature in the name of Prajnaparamita. Prof. Rhuso Hikata
gives as many 27 works under this title. All of them are not available in the original
Sanskrit. Some of them are also known from Tibetan and Chinese translations. They are
as follows:
1.Satasahasrika, 2.Pamcavimsati Sahasrika, 3.Astasahasrika, 4.Sardhadvi Sahasrika,
5.Saptasatika, 6.Trisatika, 7.Adhyardha Satika, 8.Prajnaparmita Hridaya Sutra,
9.Kausikaprajnaparamita, 10.Svalpakshara, 11.Ratnagunasamcayagatha, 12.Astadasa
sahasrika, 13.Pancaparamita Nirdesh, 14.Pancasatika, 15.Devarajapravara Prajnaparamita,
16.Dasasahasrika, 17.Nagasri, 18.Prajnaparamita Nama Astasataka, 19.Ekaksarimata,
20.Suryagarbha, 21.Chandragarbha, 22.Samantabhadra, 23.Vajrapani, 24.Vajraketu and
four other texts from Chinese sources
In viewing the above literature it is quite difficult for us to decide which of these texts is
original and whether the texts got enlarged or abridged in course of time to suit the
varying degrees or capacity of devotees. The traditional view seems to take Satasahasrika
as the original whereas in the modern view it is Astasahasrika because most of the
authors from Nagarjuna down to Haribhadra have taken 'Asta' as the basis for their
commentaries.
(5)
The Astasahasrika was translated into Chinese in 659 A.D. and was assigned to the first
century.
9. Tathagataguhyaka sutra
Tathagata Guhya sutra also known as Guhyasamaja Tantra is one of the earliest buddhist
Tantras containing an exposition of the leading topic on Vajrayana, viz Mandala, Nyasa,
Japa, Abhiseka, Guhya, Samaja, Bodhicitta, Mudra, Jnanacakra, Panchamrita, etc. It
gives an interesting account of the origin of the mandala of five Dhyani Buddhas, viz.
Vairocana, Akshyobhya, Ratna Sambhava, Amitabha and Amoghsiddhi. It is stated in
Guhyasamaja that Buddhahood may be attained within the shortest possible time and
even in one lifetime if one practices under a perfect Vajrayana Guru. The life of the 84
siddhas and biographical accounts of a number of Buddhist masters from four Tibetan
sects testify this claim.
Guhyasamaja Tantra is composed in Sangiti form and the description of the assembly is
fairly elaborate as in the early Sangiti as Gandavyuha and manjusrimulakalpa. In later
Sangiti literature the description of assembly is somewhat short and concise. Thus these
tantras also find a place in Kangyur collection as the words of the Buddha.
According to Dr. Benoytosh Bhattacharya, this text is probably the product of the third
century or a little latter as Asanga is presumed to belong to the 3rd or 4th century A.D.
All these sutras deal with many aspects of Mahayana the Great Vehicle tradition such as
the doctrine of emptiness in Prajnaparamita literature; Theory of Tathagatagarbha and
Cittamatra doctrine in Lankavatara; innumerable kinds of samadhi such as exchange of
Self with others, a kind of Bodhicitta practice and virtues of Kalyanamitra in Gandavyuha,
and Samadhiraja sutras, twelve principal deeds of Lord Buddha in Lalitavistara, etc. etc.
(6)
Nagarjuna Institute has initiated the input of other Mahayana Sutras to collect Mahayana
Buddhist canon, the list of which is given below,
(7)
(8)
Dharanis:
The Dharanis are the least explored branch of Buddhist Sanskrit literature although most
of the monks of the northern Buddhist schools used them in their daily life. The Dharanis
have paramount importance not only for Nepal Buddhists but also for all believers of
Mahayana Buddhism around the world. The recitation of these dharanis is believed to
bring into great merit and they are worn as amulet to avert evils including thieves, fire,
and noxious animals to ensure long life. The bhikkhus and people in those days were
much prone to these fears and compassionate Bodhisattvas wanted means of getting rid
of them. The healing effects through recitation of dharanis are dramatically amazing not
less than scientific treatment of western medicine.. It is believed that Buddha had given
these teachings on these Dharanis according to the request of Bodhisattvas.
For Example: Aparimitayur Dharani is a good example for its efficacy in acquiring the
longevity of life. It is said that great Madhyamika philosopher Nagarjuna had benefited
from this Dharani to save himself from his early death. These Dharanis were used as an
antidote to these fears.
Nagarjuna Institute alone has a collection of more than 600 titles of Dharanis.Here are
some of them as examples:
(9)
Buddhist Stotras:
In prosperity or distress, the Nepalese people worship and pray to the Buddhas and
Bodhisattvas for protection, good health, prosperity, and family welfare and also for
liberation from cyclic existence. The stotras or hymns throw light on various aspects of
Buddhist doctrines.
The stotras are sung by sadhakas during their meditation or act of devotion. The contents
of these strotras are of varied nature ranging from simple act of confession, qualities of
Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, praises of deities of both mundane and supra-mundane ,
iconographic data of various tantric deities and also explanation of Buddha's teachings
themselves in the form of verses.
These stotras can be sung with melodious music and can imprint the devotees
significantly even in this modern world through the multimedia device.
In these 109 stotras of input we have included serial number, title, author/source and
number of verses.
(10)
(11)
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