Kāraṇḍavyūhamahāyānasūtraratnarāja

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). This manuscript written with gold-sand. Folio number begins from 103. Two wooden covers with a relief of Śākyamuni, Avalokiteśvara and other one figure. The first cover has an illustration of Avalokiteśvara with two worshippers. (Matsunami, 1965, p. 37). Folio 167a features the mantra Oṃ maṇi padme hūṃ written in golden ink in large font, covering the entire folio. In the colophon, the manuscript mentions the name of the Nepali king Girvan Yuddha Bikram Shah, who reigned over Nepal from 1799 to 1816 CE.