Date not listed

Kāraṇḍavyūhamahāyānasūtra-ratnarāja

matsunami_92 · General Library, The University of Tokyo

Sanskrit Rañjanā Script Mahāyānasūtra
Repository General Library, The University of Tokyo
Reference No. matsunami_92
Language Sanskrit
Date Date not listed

About this Manuscript

The Kāraṇḍavyūha is an early Mantrayāna sūtra and the source of the famous mantra Oṃ maṇi padme hūṃ. This sūtra holds particular significance, as the mantra has become central in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition, especially among the lay population. It also chronicles the transformation of Avalokiteśvara into the most prominent figure in the Buddhist pantheon, surpassing all other buddhas, not to mention bodhisattvas. In this sūtra , Avalokiteśvara is described as residing in Sukhāvatī, where he serves as a messenger and gift bearer for Amitābha. In a series of interwoven narratives, the sutra details Avalokiteśvara 's activities across various realms and the infinite realms contained within the pores of his skin. He is also portrayed as superior to all buddhas, creating a paradoxical status where he simultaneously holds both a subservient and dominant role.(Trans. Peter Alan Roberts and Tulku Yeshi, intro). Matsunami stated that, this manuscript 'Written carefully. Fols. 93-105 are probably damaged by rats.' (Matsunami, 1965, pp. 39-40).

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matsunami_92 · General Library, The University of Tokyo

Catalogue Metadata

Title Kāraṇḍavyūhamahāyānasūtra-ratnarāja
Alternative Titles Guṇakāraṇḍavyūha, Avalokiteśvaraguṇakāraṇḍavyūha
Repository General Library, The University of Tokyo
Reference Number matsunami_92
Collection Takakusu Junjiro Collection
Language Sanskrit
Script Rañjanā
Subject Classification Mahāyānasūtra
Date Date not listed
Place of Origin Japan
IIIF Manifest Public IIIF manifest available

Subjects & Keywords

Mahāyānasūtra