Manuscripts
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Vimalāvadāna
eap_67616012 Language : Sanskrit Scripts : Nepālākṣara and Devanāgarī
Vimalāvadāna is a distinctive avadāna narrative concerning Vimala and his spiritual journey toward Buddhahood. The text is structured through three narrative layers. In the first, the Bodhisattva Jineśvarī responds to questions posed by the monk Jayaśrī; in the second, King Aśoka inquires of the monk Upagupta; and in the third, the narrative reaches its oldest frame, wherein the Buddha delivers a discourse at Jetavana Monastery concerning the practices of Vimala. The story recounts how the lay devotee (upāsaka) Vimala first learns of the Buddha through a peacock and is subsequently inspired to pursue the Buddha’s teachings. The avadāna further emphasizes the religious merit associated with the construction and worship of caityas. It specifically extols the virtues of worship performed on Āśvina Pūrṇimā, a tradition that continues to be observed among the Buddhist Newars of the Kathmandu Valley. The manuscript is incomplete, and its samāptivākya identifies the text as a chapter of the Vicitraratnāvadāna. The manuscript preserved in this collection thus provides valuable material for the study of Newar Buddhist narrative literature, merit-making practices, and the textual transmission of avadāna traditions.
Śuddhāvāsika Sukuṇḍaladeva Putroddhāraṇa Prakaraṇa
eap_67616013 Language : Sanskrit Scripts : Nepālākṣara and Devanāgarī
Śuddhāvāsika Sukuṇḍaladeva Putroddhāraṇa Prakaraṇa is a chapter from the Ārya Guṇakāraṇḍavyūha Sūtra. It narrates the story of the celestial being Sukuṇḍaladeva, who suffers from extreme poverty despite his heavenly status. Observing his virtuous qualities, Āryāvalokiteśvara appears before him and transforms his condition from poverty to prosperity through compassionate intervention. The manuscript preserved in this collection is in good condition, although it contains only this chapter. It constitutes a useful source for the study of the narrative and devotional dimensions of the Guṇakāraṇḍavyūha tradition in Nepal.
Dikṣāyā cacā
eap_67616014 Language : Newari and Maithili Scripts : Nepālākṣara
Dīkṣāyā Cacā is a collection of fourteen caryāgīti songs performed within esoteric Vajrayāna ritual contexts as described in the Āgamas. The manuscript preserves a structured liturgical repertoire in which musical elements such as tāla (rhythm) and rāga are explicitly indicated alongside the verses. Folios 002–008 contain eight caryāgīti songs, while folios 010–015 preserve an additional seven songs, together forming a set of fourteen compositions. These songs are thematically associated with Vajrayāna philosophical and meditative frameworks and are linked to the visualization and invocation of deities such as Hevajra, Cakrasaṃvara, and Vajravārāhī. The compositions are performed with ritual reverence in restricted esoteric settings accessible only to initiated practitioners. Composed in Sanskrit, the verses employ symbolic and metaphorical language to express core Vajrayāna doctrinal ideas.
Homakriyā tathā Mahāvali
eap_67616015 Language : Sanskrit and Newari Scripts : Nepālākṣara
Homakriyā tathā Mahābali Pūjā Manuscript is a ritual text describing the performance of fire rites (homa) conducted for the peace, prosperity, and well-being of the yajamāna (patron). The manuscript outlines the liturgical procedures and offerings performed by the Vajrācārya priest for the accumulation of merit and the welfare of the upāsaka. Folios 002–012 describe the core fire ritual, including invocations and offerings directed to the Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, Dharmapālas, and other deities. Folios 014–028 provide detailed instructions for offerings made to the Aṣṭamātṛkās, Aṣṭabhairavas, and various deities residing in the terrestrial, celestial, and subterranean realms. The text reflects a comprehensive ritual framework aimed at ensuring merit generation and auspicious outcomes for the patron through established Vajrayāna liturgical practice.
Dvādaśatīrtha Nāgapūjāvidhi
eap_67616016 Language : Sanskrit and Newari Scripts : Nepālākṣara
The manuscript deals with the ritual for the worship of the twelve great nāgas residing at the twelve tīrthas of the Kathmandu Valley. It is a ritual text in which the procedural guidelines are written in Nepalbhāṣā, while the mantras and prayers are in Sanskrit. The manuscript mentions the name of each tīrtha, the associated nāga, and a detailed description of the nāga, including its color, attributes, the specific offerings to be made, its bīja mantra, short prayers, and other ritual details. Nāgas are widely revered in Nepalmandala and are believed to bring rain and prosperity when properly propitiated. This short manuscript reflects the spiritual relationship between the celestial beings residing at the Dvādaśa Tīrthas and the human community.
Cacā Safū
eap_67616017 Language : Sanskrit and Newari Scripts : Nepālākṣara
The Cacā Safū manuscript contains two sets of Caryāgītis. The first set comprises sixteen Caryāgītis, while the second consists of eighteen. These include Madhye Meru, Sahaja Saroruha, Korāyī Re, Vaṃbhava Vasundharā, among others. The language of these Caryāgītis includes Sanskrit, Early Maithili, and Nepalbhasha. These Caryās are sung and performed during the secret Vajrayāna rituals conducted within the Āgamas. They express profound Vajrayāna philosophy through symbolic and metaphorical language. Although these ritual performances are not accessible to the general public, the tradition continues to be practiced, and some Caryās, in the form of traditional dance, have been performed outside the Āgamas.
Āryatārā Devīyā Saptavidhānuttara Pūjā
eap_67616019 Language : Newari and Sanskrit Scripts : Nepālākṣara
Āryatārā Pūjā Vidhi is a detailed ritual text describing the Saptavidhānuttara Pūjā dedicated to the Bodhisattva Tārā. It contains ritual instructions in Nepalbhasha and mantras in Sanskrit for the contemplation and ritual practice dedicated to Tārā. Tārā is regarded as a protective Bodhisattva who grants protection from the eight great fears. She is also revered as a benevolent Bodhisattva and is contemplated for peace and prosperity. The ritual text contains a beautiful sketch illustrating the maṇḍala arrangement for the ritual. It also includes the popular hymn dedicated to the Twenty-one Tārās on folios 024 and 025. The vrata is frequently observed by lay Newar Buddhists, and its distinctive ritual arrangement remains both popular and widely practiced.
Śrāddha Vidhi
eap_67616020 Language : Newari and Sanskrit Scripts : Nepālākṣara
Śrāddha Vidhi manuscript is a ritual text concerning the funeral rites in the Newar Buddhist community. At the beginning, it entails the pacificatory rites of Puṭalikā Dahana in case of death in Pañcaka. Then it mentions the cremation ritual. Afterwards, the daily rites to be performed by the family members of the deceased are mentioned. This manuscript is the ritualization of the popular Buddhist tantra, the Ārya Durgatipariśodhana Tantra, which gives teachings on the methods of the peaceful transmigration of the deceased after death.
Sindūrārcana Pūjā
eap_67616021 Language : Newari and Sanskrit Scripts : Nepālākṣara
Sindūrārcana is an esoteric Vajrayāna ritual dedicated to Cakrasaṃvara and Vajravārāhī. Sindūrārcana literally means the “offering of sindūra” and focuses on the visualization and sādhana of Cakrasaṃvara and Vajravārāhī. This pūjā is rooted in the Āgamas; only initiated practitioners participate, and it is rarely open to the public. The ritual also incorporates two stotras: the Māyācakra Stotra and the Vajrayoginī Stotra. Pic 036 contains the sketch for the ritual setup. Pic 040 contains the date of the demise of the relatives of the scribe, perhaps.
Ahorātra Yajña Vidhi
eap_67616022 Language : Newari and Sanskrit Scripts : Nepālākṣara
Ahorātra Yajña Vidhāna is an esoteric Vajrayāna fire-offering ritual. This ritual has Cakrasaṃvara and Vajravārāhī as the central deities; however, the offering of bali encompasses many bodhisattvas, dharmapālas, and other Buddhist divinities. It begins with the Grūṇḍamaṇḍala and proceeds toward the offering of bali, incorporating the homa vidhi that continues throughout the night. The text contains instructions in Nepālabhāṣā, while the mantras are in Sanskrit. The title of the Caryāgīti is also mentioned, indicating that it is to be sung elaborately during the ritual. Only initiated practitioners may participate; it is not open to the general public.
Navagraha Pūjā
eap_67616023 Language : Newari and Sanskrit Scripts : Nepālākṣara
Navagraha Pūjā Vidhi is a small ritual text concerning the worship of the nine planets (grahas). In Buddhism, these nine planets are also considered to have taken refuge in the Triratna and are believed to bless individuals according to their past karma. For the pacification of the nine planets, their worship, mantra recitation, and dāna, as prescribed by the śāstras, are recommended. This pūjā-vidhi similarly begins with the dhyāna of each particular graha, followed by a brief pañcopacāra pūjā, and finally the prescribed dāna for pacification. Generally, Navagraha Pūjā is performed on birthdays or after consultation with an astrologer, as advised in specific cases.
Guhyābhiṣeka Vidhi Daśakrodha Stotra
eap_67616024 Language : Newari and Sanskrit Scripts : Nepālākṣara
Guhyābhiṣeka Vidhi is an esoteric Vajrayāna ritual text for initiation into the maṇḍala of Cakrasaṃvara. The main text is in Sanskrit, whereas it has been translated into Nepālabhāṣā as needed, and the ritual instructions are also in Nepālabhāṣā. According to Vajrayāna philosophy, the disciple first takes refuge in the Guru, Buddha, Dharma, and Saṅgha, and then requests admission into the path of Mahāyāna, namely Vajrayāna. The guru subsequently introduces the disciple to the deity, the maṇḍala, and its significance. The last two folios of the manuscript consist of a short stotra dedicated to the Daśakrodhas. Their iconographical features are described, and salutations are offered to them with reverence.