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Mahāmegha samādhi Varṣā Paṇa
eap_67614044 Language : Sanskrit Scripts : Nepālakṣara
This manuscript records different nagas i.e., serpents common in Nepalese tradition. There relation with rain. Scibe is written in good manner but the colophone is missing and due to which we do not have many information regarding its antiquity and others.
Ārya Kāraṇḍavyūha Mahāyāna Sūtra Ratnarāja
eap_67616001 Language : Sanskrit Scripts : Nepālākṣara
About Painting in folio 1 (image 004) The first image portrays Buddha Amitabha. Śāriputra and Maudgalyāyana, standing on either side of him. The Buddha is seated upon a diamond throne beneath the Bodhi tree. Buddha Amitābha is portrayed in red color, wearing red robes, with his hands placed in the meditation gesture (dhyāna mudrā). In the background, two hills, two snow-capped mountains, as well as the sun and the moon, are depicted on the adjacent sides. The second image portrays Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara, the principal figure described in the Kāraṇḍavyūha Sūtra. The bodhisattva is shown standing upon a lotus pedestal and is richly adorned with a crown, jewellery, and earrings. He holds a lotus stem in his right hand, while the other hand is displayed in abhaya mudrā. On both sides, two male devotees are seated with one leg crossed, joining their hands in reverence. The bodhisattva is depicted beneath a tree, while the background similarly contains two hills, two snow-capped mountains, and representations of the sun and moon. Pūrṇānanda - his wife Cidhi Thakuṃ, sons Ānandavajra and Jñānavajra, and daughters Śānti Thakuṃ, Lakṣmī Thakuṃ, and Bhao Thakuṃ -commissioned the manuscript in memory of the deceased father Guṇānanda Vajrācārya.
Sitātapatratā nāma Aparājitā Mahāpratyaṅgirā Mahāvidyārājñī
eap_67616002 Language : Sanskrit Scripts : Nepālākṣara
The Buddha gave the teaching of the protective dhāraṇī Mahāpratyaṅgirā in the Trāyastriṃśa Heaven to the gods led by Indra. This assembly included monks, celestial beings, and bodhisattvas. Mahāpratyaṅgirā is the protective goddess whose dhāraṇī emanated from the uṣṇīṣa of the Buddha during the assembly. Indra then asked about the significance of the dhāraṇī. The Buddha answered that this dhāraṇī would protect disciples from misfortunes, natural calamities, mishaps in life, and specifically from the troubles caused by Māra. For the pacification of both external and internal troubles, this dhāraṇī is to be heard and practiced by the practitioner. The dhāraṇī is popular among Newar Buddhists and is recited occasionally along with the Pañcarakṣā during special occasions. Harṣajyoti, Candrarāja, Mahāratna, Caturatna, Devaratna, Harṣarāja.
Pañcarakṣā Sūtra (Ārya Mahāpratisarā Sūtra and Ārya Mahāsāhasrapramardanī Sūtra)
eap_67616003 Language : Sanskrit Scripts : Nepālākṣara
The Ārya Mahāpratisarā Dhāraṇī was preached by the Tathāgata while dwelling on the summit of Vajrameru (Vajrameruśikhara) in the presence of an assembly of monks, bodhisattvas, celestial beings, and humans. For the benefit of sentient beings and for protection from misfortune and adversity, the Buddha expounded this dhāraṇī, emphasizing its efficacy and protective power. The Ārya Mahāsāhasrapramardinī Dhāraṇī was preached by the Buddha at Gṛdhrakūṭa (Vulture Peak) in Rājagṛha before an assembly of monks, nuns, bodhisattvas, celestial beings, and humans. The dhāraṇī is presented as a means of protection against both worldly and supernatural obstacles, dangers, and afflictions. The tradition of reciting the Pañcarakṣā Sūtras, of which these texts form an important part, remains a well-preserved and vibrant practice within Newar Buddhism.
Ārya Sukhāvatīvyūha Nāma Mahāyāna Sūtra and Durgatipariśodhanī Abhisamayasādhanam
eap_67616004 Language : Sanskrit Scripts : Nepālākṣara
The Sukhāvatīvyūha is a Mahāyāna sūtra preached by the Buddha at Gṛdhrakūṭa (Vulture Peak) in Rājagṛha to an assembly of monks, bodhisattvas, and celestial beings. He was questioned by Ānanda about the noble deeds of Amitābha. The Buddha then responds by elaborating on the aspirations of the bhikṣu Dharmākara in the presence of Buddha Lokeśvararāja, and on Dharmākara’s attainment of enlightenment as Amitābha, as well as the formation of Sukhāvatī as his buddhafield.This text is closely associated with death rituals among Newar Buddhists. The second manuscript is a ritual text based on the Durgatipariśodhana Tantra. It deals with the process of worshipping the Durgatipariśodhana maṇḍala along with samādhis and mantras. Finally, after the puṣpikāvākya, the ritual for the pacification of deaths occurring during the Pañcaka period is described. Both texts are contained in a single manuscript and were donated by the family of Pūrṇānanda Vajrācārya of Hiranyavarṇa Mahāvihāra, Patan, in memory of his deceased father, Guṇānanda.
Ārya Guṇakāraṇḍavyūha Sūtrarāja
eap_67616005 Language : Sanskrit Scripts : Nepālākṣara
The Ārya Guṇakāraṇḍavyūha Sūtrarāja is a Mahāyāna Buddhist scripture composed primarily in verse (padya). The manuscript comprises twenty chapters and extends over 178 folios. It is written in Sanskrit using the Nepalese Pracalit script and is preserved in good physical condition, with the text remaining clearly legible throughout. The narrative framework of the work records questions posed by Jayaśrī and answered by Jinaśrī, while subsequent sections present inquiries made by King Aśoka and their exposition by Upagupta. The manuscript contains a puṣpikā-vākya that provides important historical information concerning its production and provenance. According to the colophon, the manuscript was copied in Nepal Saṃvat 906 (1785/86 CE) by a scribe named Guṇakāra. It was prepared for preservation at the residence of Gaṇeśvarānanda, situated in the vicinity of the Mahābuddha Temple at Pāṭan. The colophon further identifies Gaṇeśvarānanda as the son of a distinguished upāsaka and paṇḍita associated with the Mahābuddha establishment. The Ārya Guṇakāraṇḍavyūha Sūtrarāja is devoted to the exalted deeds and salvific activities of the Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara on behalf of sentient beings throughout the various realms of existence. The text portrays Avalokiteśvara as descending into the realms of hell beings, pretas, and asuras in order to alleviate suffering, proclaim the Buddha’s teachings, and establish beings on the path of Dharma. His compassionate activity likewise extends to the heavenly and human realms, underscoring his universal concern for the welfare of all sentient beings. Among the prominent narratives incorporated into the work is the account of Siṃhasārthabāhu, which occupies a significant place within the text. The sūtra has exerted a profound influence on the Buddhist tradition of the Kathmandu Valley, particularly within Newar Buddhism, where it continues to be revered and ritually recited during major religious observances and communal ceremonies.
Poṣadhāvadāna
eap_67616006 Language : Sanskrit Scripts : Nepālākṣara
Poṣadhāvadāna is a short work belonging to the Avadāna literature that emphasizes the significance of upoṣatha as a practice of aspiration and the strengthening of śīla (morality). In the narrative, King Aśoka asks his teacher Upagupta about the method and significance of observing upoṣatha. In response, Upagupta recounts an episode from the Buddha’s visit to Kapilavastu, where a brāhmaṇa named Vasiṣṭha posed the same question. The Buddha then expounded the importance of śīla and explained upoṣatha as a practice conducive to its cultivation. Dedicated to Avalokiteśvara, the observance of upoṣatha on the eighth lunar day (aṣṭamī) continues to be a well-preserved cultural tradition in Newar Buddhism.
Ṣoḍaśa Piṇḍa Vidhāna
eap_67616007 Language : Newari and Sanskrit Scripts : Nepālākṣara
Ṣoḍaśa Piṇḍa Vidhāna is a post-death ritual text based on the Durgatipariśodhana Tantra. It is a manual for performing rites for the deceased, aimed at facilitating the liberation of the departed from transitory realms after death. The instructions are given in Nepalbhasha, whereas the mantras are in Sanskrit. Image 010 presents the Nepalbhasha equivalents of Sanskrit terms for relatives used in the ritual context. The manuscript is a short but significant work documenting the piṇḍa vidhāna tradition.
Bhīmarathārohaṇa Vidhi
eap_67616008 Language : Newari and Sanskrit Scripts : Nepālākṣara
The Bhīmarathārohaṇa ritual is a Newar ceremonial tradition performed for elders at the age of 77 years, 7 months, 7 weeks, and 7 days. The manuscript documents this ritual practice and is organized into three sections. The first section, spanning Pics. 002 to 025, outlines the preliminary rituals such as Gurumandala Pūjā, Sūrya Pūjā, and Kalaśa Pūjā, among others. The second section, from 027 to 031, focuses on the worship of the Navagraha maṇḍala, specifically the individual worship of the nine planets. The third section, covering 036 to 043, presents the prāyaścitta (atonement) rites for the completion and successful conclusion of the ritual. The Bhīmarathārohaṇa celebration is highly valued within the family, after which the elders are accorded the status of living deities within the community.
Viśvantarasya Varṇana Kathā
eap_67616009 Language : Sanskrit Scripts : Nepālākṣara
The short manuscript entitled Viśvantarasya Varṇana Kathā (“The Tale of Viśvantara”) is a Sanskrit verse narrative concerning Viśvantara. It describes in detail his life as a prince and during exile, with particular emphasis on his practice of dāna pāramitā (the perfection of generosity). The tale is narrated by the Buddha at Jetavana Monastery in Vaiśālī at the request of Ānanda.
Mahāsattvāvadāna
eap_67616010 Language : Sanskrit Scripts : Nepālākṣara
This peculiar set of manuscripts is from the popular Suvarṇaprabhāsa Sūtra. One of its chapters is the Vyāghrī Jātaka, also known as the Mahāsattvāvadāna. The first page consists of few lines in Nepalbhāṣā, while all the remaining folios are in Sanskrit. This narrative is told by the Buddha to the assembly of monks during his visit to the forest near Prāñcāla Janapada, which is localized in the Newar Buddhist tradition as Namobuddha. This Avadāna recounts the past life of the Buddha, in which he was born as a prince and offered his body after encountering a tigress that had just given birth and was on the verge of death due to weakness. The Avadāna is so popular that it has inspired Dapha songs and dramas in Nepalbhāṣā literature. Moreover, the pilgrimage to the stūpa at Namobuddha remains popular and continues to be practiced by Newar Buddhists to this day.
Kārtikāvadāne Saptakumārikā Janmabhūtvā Sukhāvatī Gamana Prakaraṇa
eap_67616011 Language : Sanskrit Scripts : Nepālākṣara and Devanāgarā
Saptakumārikāvadāna is a chapter from the Kārtikāvadāna, as indicated in the samāptivākya. The text recounts the merit acquired through the construction, consecration, and worship of a caitya. Narrated by the Buddha at Jetavana to an assembly of monks, bodhisattvas, and celestial beings, it tells the story of the seven daughters of a fisherman who attained rebirth in Sukhāvatī through the virtue of building and venerating a caitya. The text also mentions the veneration of caityas on the full moon day of Āśvina (Āśvina Pūrṇimā), reflecting an important aspect of the indigenous Buddhist culture of the Kathmandu Valley.