A GROUP OF RARE NEPALESE SANSKRIT BUDDHIST MANUSCRIPTS

A GROUP OF RARE NEPALESE SANSKRIT BUDDHIST MANUSCRIPTS

Nepal, 18th Century or earlier

Comprising a group of bound and loose types of manuscripts possibly including Sūtras (canonical scripture), Tantras, Kathā (stories), Vidhī (rituals) and Buddhist chronicles.

13cm; 15cm; 18.5cm; 23cm; 29cm

(5)

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PROVENANCE:

English Private Collection

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NOTE:

Please note similar examples housed in the British Library forming part of the Endangered Archives Programme.

Among the ancient languages, Sanskrit distinguishes itself as the medium for the greatest number of extant written works. It has been predominantly employed in the composition of Hindu and Buddhist manuscripts, encompassing a wide array of subjects, including medicine, literature, and astrology. Nepal occupies a central position in the preservation and transmission of Sanskrit Buddhist manuscripts, many of which are inscribed in various Newārī scripts on materials such as tree bark, palm leaves, and paper. These manuscripts are invaluable repositories of intellectual and spiritual knowledge.

Significantly, the Nepalese Buddhist manuscript tradition constitutes the sole surviving corpus of original Mahāyāna Buddhist texts in Sanskrit, thereby rendering the scholarly study of Mahāyāna Buddhism in its original linguistic form possible. These texts are exceedingly rare and often exist in fragile or deteriorated condition, owing to both environmental factors and human activity. Within the Nepalese context, Sanskrit manuscripts are venerated not merely as literary artifacts but as sacred objects imbued with religious potency. They are regarded as manifestations of deities, ritually consecrated through a practice known as Nyāsa—a rite conducted by Vajrācārya priests to ritually infuse the manuscripts with spiritual presence. Produced between the tenth and eighteenth centuries, these manuscripts continue to hold significant cultural and religious value, particularly within Newār communities in Nepal. Despite their endangered status, these ancient and medieval texts articulate a diverse range of religious doctrines and serve as authoritative guides for ritual practice.