Manjushri-Related Texts at the Scientific Archive of KalmSC RAS: Revisiting Materials from the Collection of E. B. Ubushiev

Abstract

Introduction. The study of the pantheon of deities — along with the corpus of related texts once used by Kalmyk Buddhists — is still an underdeveloped field of Oriental studies. The image of bodhisattva Manjushri is a most revered one among Kalmyk followers of Tibetan Buddhism. Goals. The article aims to describe, transliterate and translate a sample narrative reflecting the cult of veneration of the mentioned bodhisattva. Materials. The text is one of the many written sources once donated by E. B. Ubushiev (Agvan Tabdan). Results. The article provides a list of texts dedicated to Manjushri in the Kangyur, in translations authored by Ven. Zaya Pandita Namkhai Jamtso, and also briefly reviews some Manjushri-related texts currently included in Kalmykia’s collections. The completed translation of the Dhāraṇī Sworn by Manjushri, as well as another text to be mentioned (Instructions [Delivered] by Saint Manjushri), may serve as vivid evidence of the reverence this deity of the Buddhist pantheon is granted by the Kalmyks.

Keywords

• buddhism
• written sources
• todo bičiq
• manjushri
• dhāraṇī
• scientific archive of kalmsc ras
• e. b. ubushiev