Buddhist Manuscripts

Subject: History

Section: Art and Culture

Context: Hundreds of original Buddhist manuscripts from Nalanda and Vikramshila to be translated and published.

Concept:

The Bihar State Government has signed an MoU with CIHTS (Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies) for the translation (in Hindi) and publication (in 5 years) of original Buddhist manuscripts that were saved from being burnt in the 12^th and 13^th centuries by Bhaktiyar Khilji’s Army.
The manuscripts were brought back to India from Tibet by traveller, freedom fighter and monk Rahul Sankrityayan.
The manuscripts were written in Sanskrit by scholars of the two universities between 7^th and 12^th centuries AD.
Translation and publication would be vital for those doing research on Vajrayana or Tibetan Buddhism, different Tantric practices and Buddhist philosophy.

Vikramshila:

Located in Bhagalpur district in Bihar, it was one of the three most important Buddhist monasteries in India during the Pala Empire, along with Nalanda and Odantapuri.
It was established by the Pala Emperor Dhamapala due to the decline in the quality of scholarship at Nalanda.
It was a centre for Vajrayana Buddhism.
It is mostly known from Tibetan sources, particularly the works of Taranatha, a 16^th –17^th century Tibetan monk historian.
Subjects like philosophy, grammar, metaphysics, Indian logic etc. were taught here, but the most important branch of learning was Buddhist Tantra.
It produced eminent scholars who were often invited by foreign countries to spread Buddhist learning, culture and religion. The most distinguished and eminent among all was AtisaDipankara(a notable abbot), a founder of the Sarmatraditions of Tibetan Buddhism.
It appears to have had a more clearly delineated hierarchy than other mahaviharas, as follows:
Abbot (Adhyakṣa)
Six gate protectors or gate scholars (Dvarapalaor Dvarapaṇḍita), one each for the Eastern, Western, First Central, Second Central, Northern, and Southern Gates
Great Scholars (Mahapaṇḍita)
Scholars (Paṇḍita)
Professors or Teachers (Upadhyayaor Acharya) including paṇḍits
Resident monks (bhikṣu)