Manuscripts
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Kumbheśvara-vratakathā
eap_10231011 Language : Sanskrit and Newari Scripts : Nepālākṣara
The manuscript opens with the Buddhist invocation “Oṃ Namo Ratnatrayāya”, paying homage to the Three Jewels—Buddha, Dharma, and Saṅgha. The extant text comprises folios 1–6, while folio 7 is missing, indicating that the concluding portion of the work has been lost. The surviving passage refers to Ārya Avalokiteśvara, the observance of an Aṣṭamī-vrata, and Mahādeva Kumbheśvara. These references suggest that the manuscript is concerned with a religious observance, ritual practice, or devotional narrative connected with the worship of Kumbheśvara. The invocation of Avalokiteśvara alongside Kumbheśvara reflects the characteristic blending of Buddhist and Śaiva traditions found in Nepalese religious literature.
Dharmapālarāja-kathā
eap_10231012 Language : Sanskrit and Newari Scripts : Nepālākṣara
The manuscript appears to be a Nepal Bhāṣā Buddhist devotional narrative centered on Dharmapālarāja (Dharmapālarāja-kathā) and the religious merits of observing the Aṣṭamī vow dedicated to Karuṇāmaya (Avalokiteśvara). Presented within the framework of an Upagupta-saṃvāda, the text emphasizes devotion, virtuous conduct, and the spiritual and worldly benefits derived from religious observance. Through the example of King Dharmapāla, the narrative promotes the welfare of the kingdom, the prosperity of its subjects, and the accumulation of religious merit. धर्मपाल word already written in left marzin of manuscript. The manuscript is incomplete, as folios 1, 5, 27, and 28 are missing, resulting in the loss of portions of the beginning, middle, and end of the text. Despite these lacunae, the surviving folios clearly indicate that the work belongs to the Nepalese Buddhist vrata-māhātmya tradition and was intended to encourage devotion to Karuṇāmaya and the observance of the Aṣṭamī vow. The colophon records that the manuscript was copied by Vajrācārya Śrī Jñānavajrārjuna, although the exact interpretation of the accompanying expression tkāṭha-bhantayā remains uncertain.
Dīpaṅkaramāhātmya
eap_10231013 Language : Sanskrit and Newari Scripts : Nepālākṣara
The word “Dīpaṅkarayā” is written in the margin of the manuscript. Since Nepalese manuscripts commonly record the title of the text or section in the margin, this suggests that the work is associated with Dīpaṅkara Buddha or a narrative devoted to him. The colophon reads: “Iti Śrī Kavitāvadāne Sarvānanda-janmani Piṇḍapātra-pradāna-māhātmya-sampūrṇam.” This indicates that the text forms part of the Kavitāvadāna and concerns the Piṇḍapātra-pradāna-māhātmya, in connection with the birth story of a figure named Sarvānanda. The manuscript appears to be a Buddhist avadāna narrative associated with Dīpaṅkara Buddha, emphasizing the spiritual merit of charitable giving. As part of the Kavitāvadāna, it recounts the story of Sarvānanda and illustrates the karmic benefits derived from the donation of an alms bowl (piṇḍapātra).
Śṛṅgabhērī-avadāna
eap_10231014 Language : Sanskrit and Newari Scripts : Nepālākṣara
The manuscript appears to contain the opening chapter of the Śṛṅgabhērī-avadāna, a Buddhist narrative text. The colophon reads: “Iti Śrī Śṛṅgabhērīvadāne Pūjā-puṇyānusaṃsā Prathamo'dhyāyaḥ.” This indicates that the manuscript contains the first chapter (prathamo'dhyāyaḥ) of a work entitled Śṛṅgabhērī-avadāna. The chapter is specifically devoted to Pūjā-puṇyānusaṃsā, that is, the praise and exposition of the religious merit obtained through acts of worship (pūjā).
Citraviṃśaty-avadāna
eap_10231015 Language : Sanskrit and Newari Scripts : Nepālākṣara
The manuscript contains the Śṛṅgabhērī-kathā, a narrative included in the Citraviṃśaty-avadāna and connected with the Lakṣacaitya-vrata. The text was likely composed to promote the observance of this important Buddhist vow and to illustrate the religious merit gained through the worship of caityas and other devotional acts. As a work of Buddhist avadāna literature, it emphasizes faith, piety, merit-making, and the karmic benefits of religious devotion. The colophon reads: “Iti Śrī Citraviṃśaty-avadāne Śrī Śrī Śrī Lakṣacaitya-vrata-Śṛṅgabhērī-kathā samāpta.”
Dharmashrīvālaka kathā
eap_10231016 Language : Sanskrit and Newari Scripts : Nepālākṣara
This manuscript appears to be a Buddhist narrative text in Nepal Bhasa (Newari) that recounts the life, birth, virtues, and meritorious deeds of a devotee named Dharmashrī, with particular emphasis on devotion to Dipankara Buddha, charitable giving, and the accumulation of religious merit. धर्म्मश्रीवा word already written in left marzin of manuscript.
Viriñci-Nārāyaṇa-avatāra
eap_10231017 Language : Sanskrit and Newari Scripts : Nepālākṣara
The manuscript is most likely a Vaiṣṇava devotional narrative describing the rescue of Gajendra by Lord Viṣṇu (Nārāyaṇa). Its central theme is the efficacy of devotion and complete surrender to the deity, exemplified through the celebrated story of Gajendra Mokṣa, a popular episode in Purāṇic literature. The Buddhist opening invocation suggests a Nepalese manuscript context rather than a specifically Buddhist subject matter. The text begins on folio 1 and concludes on folio 6, indicating that this is a short and self-contained narrative devoted to the Gajendra episode.
Vicitrakarṇikāvadāna
eap_10231018 Language : Sanskrit and Newari Scripts : Nepālākṣara
This manuscript appears to be a Buddhist Avadāna text in Nepal Bhasa (Newari), specifically the first chapter of the Vicitrakarṇikāvadāna. It narrates the story of a wealthy merchant named Vimaladatta, describing his social status, prosperity, and religious activities. The work likely aims to illustrate Buddhist teachings on merit, karma, generosity, and moral conduct through a didactic narrative framework. The subject begins on folio 1 and concludes on folio 10, indicating that this chapter constitutes a complete and self-contained narrative unit within the larger Vicitrakarṇikāvadāna. However, the manuscript does not preserve the entire Vicitrakarṇikāvadāna; it contains only the first chapter of the work, making the manuscript incomplete with respect to the full text.
Vicitrakarṇikāvadāna
eap_10231019 Language : Sanskrit and Newari Scripts : Nepālākṣara
This manuscript contains the eighth chapter of the Vicitrakarṇikāvadāna, entitled Manasarmā-duḥkha-bhogina-cittoddhāraṇa. The chapter narrates the sufferings of a person named Manasarmā and the subsequent upliftment or liberation of his mind through Buddhist virtue, merit, and spiritual understanding. The text serves as a moral and religious narrative illustrating the Buddhist ideals of overcoming suffering and attaining spiritual transformation through righteous conduct and faith. The subject begins on folio 1 and concludes on folio 7, and the eighth chapter is complete in itself. However, the manuscript does not preserve the entire Vicitrakarṇikāvadāna; it contains only the eighth chapter of the work, making the manuscript incomplete with respect to the full text.
Nidhāna kathā
eap_10231020 Language : Sanskrit and Newari Scripts : Nepālākṣara
This manuscript appears to be a Buddhist narrative text in Nepal Bhasa (Newari) centred on a figure named Nidhāna, probably a householder-devotee associated with a significant religious episode. The text opens with a description of the Buddha surrounded by disciples and various celestial beings at Vārāṇasī, suggesting a traditional Buddhist narrative framework. The work likely explores themes of devotion, merit, karma, and religious instruction through the story of Nidhāna and the teachings delivered in response to his circumstances. The subject begins on folio 1; however, the manuscript breaks off after folio 7, and the subsequent portion of the text is not preserved. Consequently, the narrative remains incomplete in its present form, and its conclusion is not available. निधान word already written in left marzin of manuscript.
Dhanakara Vaṇija kathā
eap_10231021 Language : Sanskrit and Newari Scripts : Nepālākṣara
This manuscript appears to be a Buddhist narrative text or avadāna in Nepal Bhasa (Newari) centred on Dhanakara, a wealthy merchant whose life is transformed through Buddhist instruction and devotion. Set within a sacred Buddhist framework associated with Kapilavastu, the narrative emphasizes faith in the Buddha, Dharma, and Saṅgha, the reception of spiritual teachings, and the cultivation of merit and wisdom. The work serves as a didactic account illustrating the Buddhist ideals of devotion, moral conduct, and spiritual awakening through the example of a lay follower named Dhanakara. The subject begins on folio 1 and ends on folio 7; however, no colophon is preserved. In addition, folio 6 is repeated in the manuscript, suggesting a scribal or compilation error. Owing to the absence of a colophon and the repeated folio, the exact title and completeness of the text cannot be determined with certainty. धनकर word already written in left marzin of manuscript.
Vicitrakarṇikāvadāna
eap_10231022 Language : Sanskrit and Newari Scripts : Nepālākṣara
The complete colophon establishes that the manuscript is not an independent work entitled Ratnadhvajāvadāna, but rather the sixth chapter (ṣaṣṭhamo'dhyāyaḥ) of the Vicitrakarṇikāvadāna. The chapter is specifically named Ratnadhvajoddhāraṇa (“The Deliverance/Rescue of Ratnadhvaja”). This identification is corroborated by the repeated occurrence of references to Ratnadhvaja-rāja and Ratnadhvaja Tathāgata within the text, confirming that Ratnadhvaja is the principal figure of the narrative. Therefore, the manuscript should be catalogued as Ratnadhvajoddhāraṇa, Chapter 6 of the Vicitrakarṇikāvadāna, a work belonging to the tradition of Buddhist Avadāna literature. The chapter appears to narrate the story, merits, and eventual deliverance or spiritual elevation of Ratnadhvaja, in accordance with the soteriological themes characteristic of Buddhist avadāna narratives.