Date not listed

Mahāpratisarā

matsunami_290 · General Library, The University of Tokyo

Sanskrit Nepālākṣara Script Buddhist tantra
Repository General Library, The University of Tokyo
Reference No. matsunami_290
Language Sanskrit
Date Date not listed

About this Manuscript

"Mahāpratisarā is one of five female protectors (Rakṣā) of Vajrayāna Buddhism, who remains important in the Newar Buddhism of Nepal. In the Pañcarakṣasūtra, her dhāraṇī is said to provide protection from a variety of dangers and to bestow rebirth in heaven." (Princeton Dictionary of Buddhism, entry on Mahāpratisarā). Mahāpratisarā kalpa begins with a frame setting, called the nidāna, where the Buddha sits. It then moves on to the Buddha giving an exposition on the benefits of the dhāraṇī and then the dhāraṇī itself. It is said that this particular dhāraṇī saved Yaśodharā while she was pregnant with Rāhula during a fire ordeal when her unborn son recited the Mahāpratisarādhāraṇī. Folio 1b has the words "ārya-buddha-vinaya-tantra" and also folio 46a has the words "Buddha bhāṣitaṁ āryya-buddha-vinaya-tantra-guhe-samāptam" struck out in blue ink. The cancellation seems like a late addition. Folio 1b also has a gap for a picture.

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matsunami_290 · General Library, The University of Tokyo

Catalogue Metadata

Title Mahāpratisarā
Alternative Titles Buddha-vinaya-tantra-guh(y)a [=the Mahā-pratisāra-kalpa, a part of the Pañca-rakṣā]' (Matsunami)
Repository General Library, The University of Tokyo
Reference Number matsunami_290
Collection Kawaguchi Ekai Collection
Language Sanskrit
Script Nepālākṣara
Subject Classification Buddhist tantra
Date Date not listed
Place of Origin Japan
IIIF Manifest Public IIIF manifest available

Subjects & Keywords

Buddhist tantra