Composite text- Saptaśatikā prajñāpāramitā and Dhāraṇīs
matsunami_421 · General Library, The University of Tokyo
Introduction
About this Manuscript
This composite manuscript comprises a collection of works, primarily Prajñāpāramitā and dhāraṇī texts, compiled into a single codex or grouped from originally separate manuscripts. Multiple scribal hands can be discerned from notable differences in handwriting and ink quality, ranging from fine lines to bold, thick, black script. The integration of the Saptaśatikā Prajñāpāramitā with a series of dhāraṇīs is characteristic of such composite manuscripts, a feature noted by both Edward Conze and Francesco Bianchini (see Bianchini 2011, p. 133). While Conze highlights the esoteric character of these compilations—especially the transformation of extended Prajñāpāramitā sūtras into dhāraṇī form—Bianchini urges a methodological distinction, proposing that these manuscripts be studied as a unique corpus of Prajñāpāramitā “spell literature,” particularly in relation to Pāla-period Buddhism. This manuscript appears to have been produced in Nepal after the 18th century. The manuscript begins with the Saptaśatikā Prajñāpāramitā (fols. 1–57b2), a Perfection of Wisdom text composed in 700 lines. It is followed by the following dhāraṇīs: Prajñāpāramitādhāraṇī (fols. 57b2–58a1) Ārya-Pītavarṇa-dhāraṇī (fols. 58a1–58b5) Āryaprajñāpāramitādhāraṇī (fols. 59a1–59a5) Ṣaṭpāramitāhṛdaya (a dhāraṇī on the six pāramitās, fols. 59b1–60b2) Āryāparimitāyur-dhāraṇī (fols. 60b2–73a1) Yakṣāṣṭaka (fols. 73a2–74a2) Jambharajanendradhāraṇī (fols. 74a2–75a1) Vasudhārādhāraṇī (fols. 75a2–84b5; text appears incomplete) A paper insertion titled Section II follows: Vasudhārāṣṭotra (fols. 179–180b3) Vajravidāraṇa-hṛdayamantra (fols. 180b3–184b2) Gaṇapatihṛdaya (fols. 184b4–186b2) Sarvatathāgatoṣṇīṣavijayādhāraṇī (fols. 186b3–189b2) Pañcaviṃśatikā Prajñāpāramitādhāraṇī (fols. 189b3–202b5) Section III begins with a folio (174a) featuring astrological diagrams, suggesting it may be part of an astral or calendrical treatise. Matsunami records the Sarvadurgatipariśodhanadhāraṇī in this section as running from fols. 147–159, although the visible portion begins at fol. 174b. This section appears to follow a dual foliation system. Also included are: Sītātapatrādhāraṇī (16 leaves, fols. 147–162) Dhvajāgrakeyurādhāraṇī (3 leaves, fols. 133–135) A single leaf of the Pañcarakṣā (p. 146)
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Catalogue Metadata
| Title | Composite text- Saptaśatikā prajñāpāramitā and Dhāraṇīs |
| Repository | General Library, The University of Tokyo |
| Reference Number | matsunami_421 |
| Collection | Takakusu Junjiro Collection |
| Language | Sanskrit |
| Script | Newari |
| Subject Classification | prajñāpāramitā, dhāraṇī |
| Date | Date not listed |
| Place of Origin | Japan |
| IIIF Manifest | Public IIIF manifest available |